Seasoned air travellers are familiar with the procedures for landing and take-off with passengers told to raise their window blinds and warned that the lights will be dimmed.

Everyone complies but not everyone knows the reason why.

British Airways air hostess Harpreet Rainu explains all.

And it is a safety feature to prepare in case of an emergency.

She said: “Window blinds should be open and not closed due to seeing outside in case of an emergency.”

It is to help eyes to adjust to the light.

The Bolton News:

Harpreet said: “And dimming the lights is due to adjusting your eyes during the hours of darkness.

“We can’t have lights on high inside and then be dark outside.”

The air hostess explains that if people are in a dark environment, then they will need up to half an hour to adjust to the light outside and vice versa.

This will ensure people can safely exit the plane and will not be disoriented on leaving.

Dimming or turning off lights is also useful for the pilot, who may be able to see the runway better when landing.

Harpreet also explained that if an emergency was to happen, passengers need to quickly adjust to the light to evacuate safely.

It also helps emergency services looking into the aircraft in an emergency and for people to be able to see outside if they need to.

Passengers being told to put their seats upright is another important measure

This is so  that in an emergency, people can get out safely and also helps to brace for impact which cannot be done if the seat is reclined.

Harpreet said: “It’s necessary things we will always remind passengers of, we want to make sure everyone is safe on our flights and that we can assist if an emergency occurs.”