Petitions FAA to Require Open Window Shades During Taxi, Takeoff, Landing

Comment

Petition for Rulemaking (14 CFR § 11.71)

Petitioner: Zachary Williams
Address: 616 20th St., San Francisco, CA 94107

I request that the Federal Aviation Administration amend applicable regulations under 14 CFR Part 121 to require that passenger window shades remain in the open position during taxi, takeoff, and landing on U.S.-certificated air carriers. The purpose of this proposed action is to improve situational awareness within the passenger cabin and to support more effective hazard recognition and evacuation during critical phases of flight.

I propose adding the following requirement to 14 CFR Part 121 or other applicable sections governing passenger safety procedures: “During taxi, takeoff, and landing, each passenger window shade must be positioned fully open unless otherwise directed by a crewmember for operational or safety reasons.”

This proposal is in the public interest because it may improve passenger safety outcomes with minimal operational burden. Open window shades can enhance awareness of external conditions such as fire, smoke, water, debris, or other hazards, which may assist both passengers and cabin crew in making faster and more informed decisions during emergency situations. In time-critical scenarios, even small improvements in hazard recognition and exit selection can affect outcomes. Standardizing this procedure may improve consistency and preparedness across the traveling public. This measure is comparable to existing safety requirements, such as stowing tray tables and placing seatbacks in the upright position during takeoff and landing, which are widely accepted and impose minimal burden on passengers.

Supporting information and arguments include international aviation practices and human factors considerations. Authorities such as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and multiple regulators in Asia commonly require, or strongly enforce, open window shades during critical phases of flight through airline operating procedures. Human factors considerations suggest that open window shades may improve situational awareness for passengers not seated at a window through shared visibility, reduce anxiety or claustrophobia in some passengers by maintaining awareness of external conditions, and provide a visual reference to the horizon that may reduce motion sickness by improving alignment between visual and vestibular inputs. These factors may contribute to more orderly and effective passenger response during abnormal or emergency situations.

Specific facts and circumstances supporting this proposal include the current lack of a consistent requirement among U.S. carriers and the absence of an FAA mandate on window shade position during taxi, takeoff, and landing. This inconsistency contrasts with international operations, where procedures are more standardized, potentially leading to variability in passenger expectations and preparedness. In emergency situations, external hazards such as fire, smoke, water, or structural damage may be visible outside the aircraft, and limited visibility may delay hazard recognition or lead to suboptimal exit selection. Given that this proposed requirement is low-cost, easy to implement, and aligned with existing cabin safety practices, further evaluation of its potential safety benefits is warranted.

Respectfully submitted,
Zachary Williams