A passenger sparked controversy on a long-haul flight by refusing to lower the window blind, causing discomfort to another traveler who was being blinded by the sunlight.
The topic of travel etiquette often sparks debate online. Recently, a budget airline’s announcement of a clothing item deemed inappropriate for flights has added to the discussions.
While dress codes are frequently debated, another conversation gaining traction online involves the management of window blinds during flights.
Generally, it is believed that those seated by the window have the authority to decide whether the blind is up or down.
Yet, the actions of one passenger have caused upset, as they declined to close the blind when asked by another passenger who was affected by the sunlight.
Kelly Meng, who has become popular on TikTok, was traveling from Chicago to Tokyo on a direct flight when she observed the incident firsthand.
In her video, Meng shared: “Let me tell you a personal story that just happened to me and it’s actually genuinely crazy.” She explained the seating arrangement, noting that only the far left and far right seats had window access, and the new planes use digital dimmers instead of traditional shutters, which don’t block out all light.
Meng further detailed that after the meal service, the cabin crew dimmed the lights to allow passengers to rest before reaching Japan.
However, with the sun shining throughout the flight, a passenger seated in the middle row requested the woman next to Meng’s partner to lower the blind.
Meng explained that this wasn’t a matter of a traditional blind, but a ‘digital dimmer’.
“Not a single other window is not 100% dark. There’s direct sunlight coming in from our window,” Meng noted.
Although the passenger did use the dimmer, enough sunlight still filtered through to irritate some passengers, prompting even the flight attendants to intervene.
Meng elaborated on how the cabin crew approached the woman, mentioning complaints from passengers on the opposite side of the plane and asking her to adjust the dimmer further.
The passenger responded, “I’m not turning it down any lower, it’s at 75%…. It’s basically dark,” as Meng recounted.
Recalling the event, Meng commented in her TikTok video: “The lack of self-awareness is insane.”
The video went viral, and opinions in the comments were notably divided.
One commenter stated, “If you have a window shade preference, book a window seat,” while another shared, “In my opinion, a short daytime flight = some windows open/ lights on; long haul flight = windows close (at least at some point).”
A third person humorously added, “Being considerate is always kind. But at the expense of the view? No. Bring an eye mask.”