Dimming the lights

Hi David

I’ve had it the other way where a carrier (think it was United) on a recent flight in last couple of years left all lights on for landing and take off at night which was very surprising.

It used to be the practice on Qantas to put all the lights on for take off and landing regardless of the time of day, I’m not sure whether this still happens.

I did once ask a purser why and she said she knew it was at odds with almost all the rest of the world but it was to comply with Australian directives.

I’ve only been on daylight services with QF recently so haven’t noticed whether they still do it or not.

LP…..totally agree with you!

It’s odd that BA does not turn off the lights, for t/o and landing on the 747 upper deck…all my recent flights. They used to go off. The ceiling lighting is left on. Mind you, it is MF crew, so maybe they don’t know how to do it!

The other discrepancy is window blinds. BA Cityflyer….blinds MUST be up, as with most other carriers. BA A380 all blinds down…very claustrophobic. Other BA, take your choice! But I was always under the impression that in the event of an external fire on the ground the CAA insist that the crew/passengers would be able to open the emergency exits on the safe, non-fire side. So, with the blinds up, the hazard can be viewed and assessed. And, of course, this goes hand in hand with turning all the lights out, to get the eyes used to a cabin in darkness, in an emergency and a possible evacuation into the darkness.

I agree with you, 727, about TAP generally. The timekeeping is not very good, but all the other things – crew, seats, food, drink – exactly as you say. The “reading lights off” routine was on three flights, all this month, on the LIS – LHR route. Maybe LIS – MAN is former Portugalia crew and planes, and that explains the difference?

I have been unlucky with some late flights, but otherwise they are near the top of my airline list because of the charming crew, and the good and simple food and wine – and the wine and food selection in the TAP lounge at LIS can be really exceptional.

My first ever trip to Portugal was on Portugalia, MAN – OPO in 2000. I thought I was in heaven with the food and wine that Portugalia had in those days. And then I discovered that Portugal probably is somewhere near heaven.

I have never stopped going back as often as possible – and, serious point, the minor things in the TAP service mean that it becomes a top choice for an expensive high-revenue-to-the-airline longhaul trip, if TAP is one of the alteratives available. Little things buy a lot of loyalty.

Have to agree. I go to Portugal regular, as i bought an apartment there. The food ,wine, weather, countryside, beaches and people charmed me so much, just love it. By flying on TAP, you get that feeling as soon as you step onboard, its so nice.

No, just that times change and regulations change too.

Smoking was allowed but greater consciousness now about the harm from smoking so policy changed.

Phone was believed to interfere with electronics so it was banned, now evidence that isn’t the case so policy changed.

Same with IFE and other electronics so policy changed there as well.

Not sure about the blinds, inevitably policy will change over time as some a/c don’t have blinds these days. Same with the advent of mood lighting.

Not really sure what trust has to do with it really.