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When passengers board an aircraft, they may notice that the cabin lights are dimmed before takeoff and landing. While some believe this is simply to help passengers rest, aviation experts point out that the main reason is safety.
Cabin crew, such as the Senior Cabin Crew Member, Purser, or Inflight Manager, typically dim the lights at night or during low-light conditions before takeoff and landing. This follows a series of safety checks to ensure passengers are wearing seatbelts, baggage is secured, aisles are clear, window blinds are open, seatbacks are upright, and tray tables are stowed. Once these checks are complete and the cabin is secure, the lights are dimmed.
The purpose of dimming the lights is to allow passengers’ and crew members’ eyes to adjust to outside light levels in case an emergency evacuation becomes necessary. It can take between five and ten minutes for eyes to adapt from bright light to darkness. If an evacuation occurs at night or in low visibility, this adjustment helps people see outside hazards more quickly and navigate toward exits.
