Sorry, I disagree with you. You're not in the window seat, you have no gripe if the person in that seat doesn't want to have the shade open. Sure, you're free to ask, but I think it's a little rude to impose your preferences on other people. Do you also make people turn off their lights or air because it bothers you?

If you have strong feelings about whether the window shade should be open or closed (and it sounds like you do), you should sit in the window seat.

I disagree also. Sounds like you want to control both seats. You should make sure to choose a window if you want to guarantee that you can look out at the plane on fire.

You can ask me and I will probably open it and lean out of the way so you can put your face right up to it - but please don't insist upon it or expect it because maybe i chose the window so i didn't have to be disturbed - just as you chose the aisle so you don't disturb people.

As a window dictator myself, I have the opposite tendancy. I always want the window open, even when the flight attendants suggest everyone close them. I choose window seats precisely because I like to press my nose against the window and look at the ground below.

Gonna have to go with the crowd this morning, Andrea.

If you actively choose to give up the window seat for the convenience of the aisle (I do about 95% of the time, because I have long legs and joint problems, so I get up to stretch a lot), then you don't really have the right to demand the shade open or closed.

Besides, it's not like you can see a whole lot through the window from the aisle seat anyway.

I am, however, honestly confused with those who choose a window seat and close the shade (if, of course, they aren't using the bulkhead as a pillow, then it makes perfect sense). Much like Julia, when I pick a window seat, I generally have my nose stuck to the window. Perhaps it's just late booking/checking in and you're forced into the window, but why waste the view?

Yeah, I think you're in the minority here. There are pros and cons to every seat (well, except the middle seat. only cons with that one!). But the advantage of the window seat is that you control the shade. The con is that you have to bother two other people when you want to get up, and that you feel a bit cramped.

That's life, I suppose. But I think you're wrong here

I've started choosing the window seat, even on international flights where I know I'll have to get up and stretch, because it's easier to sleep there and I know I have a much lower chance of being bashed in the knee/ankle/elbow by a beverage cart. (And I'm extremely nice about asking the aisle person to get out - usually I wait until they're getting up anyway.)

Anyway, some people asked why someone at the window seat would put the shade down - I often have the shade down on international flights, because when you're flying over an ocean there's nothing to see anyway, and it can be blindingly bright out there. Also, it creates glare on the little seatback screen. Sure, if my seatmate asked, I would put the shade up for a while, but I'd be silently cursing them.

I might be more inclined to pity someone in a middle seat who wanted to look out the window over me.There's just nothing good about being in the middle seat.

It seems that all of us commenters are in agreement. If you care about what goes on with the window shade then you need to sit in the window seat. I always sit by the window because I do not want to have to get up for anyone else in my row. I also close the shade on early morning flights because I usually sleep, even if it is a short flight. I have to say that if the person in the aisle asked me to open the shade I would probably look at them like they were crazy. Are you really planning to lean over from the aisle to look out the window? Assess your priorites and book accordingly.

Another one joining the crowd today, although I have to say I've given much less thought to the window shade as I have to say, the person's seat back in my lap or the 300 pounder next to me.

The shade also offers another layer of insulation - sometimes the window seat can get cold!

Maybe because I am an infrequent flyer, I always go for the window seat to enjoy the views when there's something to see. If I find myself on the aisle, I always feel a bit disappointed (and perplexed) when the person in the window seat closes the shade but wouldn't think to ask them to open it because I guess I feel it's their call in that position.

I had recently been pondering the window etiquette. I had it shut for the movie, but wanted to open it afterwards, but the center and aisle seat were sleeping and when I started to open it, it beemed a direct shot of light into their faces so I shut it. But I felt that I chose the seat and wanted to look outside, so I was only screwing myself over to accomodate my neighbors.

I disagree. If you were to confront me, I'd have no problem turning you down. The window isn't yours to control.

If you chose to block me from leaving the aisle, you could face a class D misdemeanor (confinement).

Once again, I'm a little surprised by how obsessive and controlling we can get over such small things when we travel. And I mean me, too. Generally, I agree that the window should be open for all passengers to enjoy, unless there is a glare on a movie screen or laptop. I know some people like a more cozy, cave-like interior. I prefer the light and usually sit in the window seat, but I have to say, like the author, I really try to consider how others may feel and worry a bit less about what I have the "right" to control. I mean, really. Can't we all try to make things easier and more pleasant for each other? I agree with the poster above who likes the window seat and takes advantage of when the aisle and middle people get up to take my turn in the lav., too. Such small things, but they matter. If someone politely asked me for something that was so easy to do, I would certainly oblige!

I agree with everyone else - you can't have it both ways. If you want the convenience of the aisle seat, you give up the window. If having the window open is so important to you, then you need to get a window seat.

If the person in the window seat chooses to place the shade to his/her own preference, he/she is a "dictator", but if you demand that it be opened, you're just . . . what? "Princess" comes to mind.

I usually select an aisle seat for the slight bit of extra room, and I realize that this means I don't get to see out the window. Usually the wing is blocking the view anyway.

Sorry, Andrea

I agree with others - when you choose the ailse seat over you window, you have no right to dictate the window position. As a person who normally chooses the Window, I can say that while I will usually leave the shade open, there are times where the refelction of the light just hits wrong and you have no choice but to close it.

May I have a rant of my own. Why is it rant Monday it seems that there are days like today that you're just looking for something to rant about - how about a praise of the good samritain that helped fix a tire or a ticket agent that was extra helpful. More of a cheers and Jeers instead of all complaits Monday.

So glad to see everyone is commenting the way the are. I'm in agreement with them - I "dictate" that you choose the window seat. Go one step further - get the exit row window. This way you have room to stretch and the window shade has to stay open for takeoff and landing. As every airline has different rules for pre-assigning of the exit row make sure to checkin early enough at the airport to qualify. Make these your new constant needs.

I agree with the others, the person in window seat can dictate if the shade is up or down. I always choose the window seat because I like to try and sleep during the flight and I lean against the window. I always put the shade down. So far, no one has ever asked me to raise it. But I suppose no one bothers me because I keep my eyes closed most of the flight.

I agree that the aisle seat does not get to control the window. However, I don't think the window sitter should have absolute control either. Passengers should generally respect the request to lower shades during movies, and be considerate when the sun is blaring in from directly east or west. Sometimes the sun comes in from a window across the aisle so that it's harder to ask that it be closed.

I wish more people were as thoughtful as Dan @ 10:49am

I always try to sit in the window seat. I have claustrophobia and although I try not to fly, sometimes I am forced to by circumstances. Being able to keep the shade up and look out the window is a godsend for me. I hate it when the cabin crew asks for the shades to be closed. Passengers who want to look out the windows and have light should be allowed to have the shades up.

I give up the conveniences of the aisle seat for being able to have control of the shade. You can't have it both ways. I try to always be polite and treat my seat mates well, but a panic attack isn't worth it.

Count one more vote that the person with the window seat gets to decide. I do think that the person with that seat ought to consider sun glare and the like, as it's truly miserable when someone keeps the shade up when the sun is shining into people's eyes. On the other hand, I can think of reasons to leave the shade up even when the stewardesses want you to lower it--during a night flight to London, for example, you might get lucky and see the Northern Lights (as a friend did within the past month).

Bottom line, if you want control of the window, book a window seat. If I have the window seat and I'm trying to read a book and I feel like the sun is too bright on the page, I'm lowering the shade and you'll just have to try to look out the other side of the plane.

Yeah, if you really want control of the window, then you should pick the window seat.

But there's still a legit gripe about someone who does chose to sit next to the window and deny the advantages to his/her neighbors.

I have to agree with 90% of the posters, Andrea. You can't have it both ways. And punishing someone by not 'gladly' letting them up & out is just petty. Decide which you'd rather have & book accordingly! Sometimes, I know I've had the shade shut - because of glare & the heat from the sun - the window seat can get pretty warm! I think this is a pretty petty issue to even have in this blog space. Aren't there worse things to complain about?

"But there's still a legit gripe about someone who does chose to sit next to the window and deny the advantages to his/her neighbors."

But how do you define that? (This is a genuine question, not a flame.) Take my example of the sun being too bright on the pages of a book. If the person in the aisle seat isn't experiencing glare, do you think the person with the window seat is doing something wrong in closing the shade so he can read? I don't.

Wow. The person in the window seat should have to ask your permission to close the shade? As others have said, you can't have it both ways. If you sit in the aisle seat, you give up control of the window shade.

Wow, it never occured to me that people sitting in the aisle seat would care what I did with my window seat. In a window seat, its hard enough to see the ground from the tiny windows that never line up with the seats anyway. The aisle seat wanting to see something?! What is there to see. Unless you are landing at National, I don't get it.

Rich,

You're right that there are circumstances where the window seat passenger could/should close the shade, your glare/heat is a fine example, as is trying to watch a movie in daylight.

But as Andrea points out above in her entry, some folks just close the shade because they can. Thats too bad, because there can be some brilliant scenery that other people in the row (and across the aisle) can view.

Just because parts of flyover country may be boring to some, it could be a new experience or exciting for someone else.

Bit controlling, Andrea. Relax.

I disagree. The person on the window seat has the choice. If they want to look outside you cannot ask them to close it.

I've never really thought about this. I'm a window person on flights under two hours (it's easier to sleep, or read by daylight, and look out during approach and landing) and an aisle person on longer flights (so I can get up to stretch, use the restroom, etc.). When I have the window, I pretty much do what I want. (Because I take the window on shorter flights, there's no movie to worry about.) I do accommodate other people's requests to look out when there's something to see, but I wouldn't keep the shade open for the whole flight, if I wanted it closed, just because someone else wanted a feeling of openness. Likewise, when I choose to be on the aisle, I recognize that the window-sitter has full control over the shade. That's just the trade-off that you make.

I guess if you want to be in CONTROL of the window shade you must sit in that seat and if you CHOOSE to impose your decision against the will of the person sitting in the aisle seat does that mean IF you want out that person can say sure, "climb over me?"

Shades should be UP!!

I like the window seat and I like the shade up most of th time. I can't get over the fact that we are the first humans to regularly get to look down on our world from 35,000 feet. I really enjoy looking at the world or clouds pass by.

It amazes me that so many folks demand that I close my window shade to improve their movie experience. I guess we are the first humans to be able to experience movies too. I usually close my shade if asked, even if it diminishes the quality of my flight.

So, by your yardstick, does that mean that to your seatmates you're an aisle-hog because you're always in the way if they wish to get up?
Your logic is certainly convoluted and stretched a bit thin!

Perhaps there should be a thought for what is on the other side of the window.
EVERYONE should have a chance to see the Rocky Mountains from the air, Hawaii suddenly appearing after hours of Pacific Ocean, and flying down the Potomac River into Washington during fireworks on the Mall on Fourth of July.

Perhaps there should be a thought for what is on the other side of the window.
EVERYONE should have a chance to see the Rocky Mountains from the air, Hawaii suddenly appearing after hours of Pacific Ocean, and flying down the Potomac River into Washington during fireworks on the Mall on Fourth of July.

Everyone should be courteous. If I am stuck in the window seat, I close it because it makes me nauseated when the plane turns. (and it is at this point that the flight attendants usually say to close it anyway) If we are flying over something truly exceptional, I will open it, but I am not under obligation to open it so the entitled person in the aisle seat can see purdy clouds.

I don't think it's very considerate of you to coerce other passengers into changing their preferences for your comfort. Some people close the windows because their eyes are too sensitive to the light, or because seeing out the window makes them feel sick, or because it's easier to sleep by the window, and they have to sleep on the plane or they'll be sick (my unfortunate reality). You should consider that other people's reasons for choosing the window seat - and choosing to close the window - are likely just as valid as your reasons for choosing otherwise.

I agree with, well, just about everyone. I always choose the window seat because even after 30 years of flying, I am still fascinated and awestruck by even the most boring (to others) landscape (and even clouds). I hate when the flight attendant tells people to lower their window shades so others can watch a movie. My movie is the landscape outside -- much better than some lame Will Ferrell flick. I choose a window seat because my priority -- and the only way to make the flight bearable -- is to be able to see outside.

But I will close the shade if it's too bright or too hot, and I don't care what the people next to me think in that case. In these examples of bright, beautiful weather outside, Andrea, did it ever occur to you that the passenger in the window seat might be too hot?

Like someone else said, think about your priorities and act accordingly. If you want to be able to enjoy the sun, get a window seat and just politely ask the person in the aisle when you have to get out. If you want to sit in the aisle, accept that you are making a trade-off. Of course we should all be respectful of one another and try to make flights more bearable, but you also have to accept that what makes the flight bearable for one person might slightly inconvenience you.

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