It’s not being difficult—it’s all for your safety!“10 Airplane Trivia Q&A”

▲ Many airline regulations can be confusing. (Illustration / Photo by Reporter Lin Shiwen)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

There are many airline rules that seem puzzling—like stowing your bag under the seat in front of you or having the window shades open during takeoff and landing. In fact, all of these are designed with passenger safety in mind.Travel Search Enginehas compiled a list of 10 interesting airplane trivia Q&A. How many do you know?

▲ Upright seatbacks and stowed tray tables are mainly for safe evacuation in emergencies. (Illustration / Photo by Reporter Peng Huaiyu)

1. Why must seatbacks be upright and tray tables stowed during takeoff and landing?
It’s primarily to ensure a smooth evacuation. According to research by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), evacuation time increases by 15–45 seconds if seatbacks are not upright. While that may not sound like much, in an emergency, every second counts.

▲ Opening the window shades allows flight attendants and passengers to observe external conditions, such as engine fires or detached landing gear, and also lets people outside see inside the cabin. (Illustration / Photo by Reporter Peng Huaiyu)

2. Why must window shades be open during takeoff and landing?
The 13 minutes of takeoff and landing are when the likelihood of in-flight accidents is highest. Opening the window shades helps flight attendants and passengers observe external conditions, such as engine fires or detached landing gear. It also allows people outside to see inside the cabin, aiding in making the best evacuation decisions.

3. Why must carry-on bags be placed under the seat in front?
Many people dislike putting their bags under the seat in front because they fear getting them dirty, but this rule is also for safety reasons. Airlines require passengers to keep their carry-on luggage off their laps, seats, or the floor throughout taxiing, takeoff, landing, and the entire flight. The main reason is that in case of turbulence, loose items could slide around, injure passengers, or block escape routes.

4. Why must electronic devices be turned off or switched to airplane mode and Wi-Fi disabled during takeoff and landing?
Radio waves from communication devices can interfere with cabin pressure, navigation, and compass systems. As a result, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission banned the use of mobile phones on airplanes back in 1991. Today, larger devices like laptops can still cause interference. While phones don’t have to be completely powered off, the rule has been relaxed to requiring airplane mode and disabling Wi-Fi.

5. Why can’t life vests be inflated inside the cabin?
Inflated life vests take up a lot of space and can block the escape of passengers behind you. Additionally, if the cabin fills with water, an inflated vest will cause you to float to the ceiling, making it very difficult to exit through the cabin door.

6. Why shouldn’t sharp objects be carried during an evacuation?
Don’t even think about bringing your luggage during an evacuation, and be especially careful not to carry sharp objects. Inflatable slides can be punctured, endangering other passengers. High heels and sharp belt buckles must be removed.

7. Why can’t durians be brought on board?
Most passengers find the smell of durians unbearable, and items with strong odors are generally not allowed on planes either. Therefore, durians cannot be brought into the cabin or checked in.

8. Why can’t you board barefoot?
There are two reasons: one is to avoid offending other passengers with foot odor, and the other is safety. Without shoes, you could get injured during an emergency evacuation, losing precious escape time.

9. Why can lighters be carried but not checked in?
If a lighter is in checked luggage, no one would know if it accidentally ignited until it’s too late. Aviation safety regulations allow each passenger to carry one regular lighter, but windproof blue-flame lighters are prohibited and will be inspected at security. However, rules vary by airport—for example, in mainland China, lighters cannot be carried on or checked in.

▲ Power banks and spare lithium batteries must be carried on, not checked. After check-in, remember to watch your checked luggage go through the X-ray machine before leaving. (Photo / Reporter Ji Xiangru)

10. Why must power banks and spare lithium batteries be carried on and not checked?
In recent years, accidents caused by 3C electronics have become increasingly common. Some poorly designed power banks can explode under certain conditions and are therefore classified as aviation safety hazards. After check-in, remember to watch your checked luggage go through the X-ray machine before leaving.