# Seatbacks and trays in an upright position **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 20, 2003, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seatbacks-and-trays-in-an-upright-position/214316 "2003-11-20T16:15:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![keno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f9ae1b/32.png) [@keno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/keno)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seatbacks-and-trays-in-an-upright-position/214316/1 "2003-11-20T16:15:58Z")
Why do the airlines always require us to place seatbacks and trays in an upright position for takeoffs and landings? Is this to protect the passenger behind the seat? What does this position provide protection against? ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seatbacks-and-trays-in-an-upright-position/214316/2 "2003-11-20T16:24:24Z")
I believe you will find this question asked and answered already in the GQ. To answer your question though is simple: safety. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seatbacks-and-trays-in-an-upright-position/214316/3 "2003-11-20T16:58:42Z")
Landing and take-off are the most dangerous parts of any flight. Basically they want the evacuation routes clear if everybody needs to leave the plane in a hurry. Having all the seats upright with the tray tables up gives people more room to maneuver. It’s the same reason that you have to put your carry-on under the seat on take-off and landing; they don’t want a bunch of loose luggage blocking the aisles. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seatbacks-and-trays-in-an-upright-position/214316/4 "2003-11-20T22:30:12Z")
The previous posters have the logical rationale. The rest of the story is simply that it’s a Federal Law. That long-winded and infuriating demo of seat belts, etc., is mandated by the Code oF Federal Regulations Title 14 - Chapter I - Subchapter G - Part 121 - Subpart T - Section 571, or [FAR §121.571](http://ecfr1.access.gpo.gov/otcgi/cfr/otfilter.cgi?DB=1&ACTION=View&QUERY=121.571&RGN=BSEC&OP=and&QUERY=14&RGN=BTI&QUERY=4407&RGN=BSECCT&SUBSET=SUBSET&FROM=1&ITEM=1) for short. The upright seat back and tray tables are mandated by [FAR §121.577.](http://ecfr1.access.gpo.gov/otcgi/cfr/otfilter.cgi?DB=1&ACTION=View&QUERY=121.577&RGN=BSEC&OP=and&QUERY=14&RGN=BTI&QUERY=1080&RGN=BSECCT&SUBSET=SUBSET&FROM=1&ITEM=1) In both of these regulations, the term “certificate holder” means the airline and, by extension, its employees. Nice to know that Nanny is looking out for you. ---
**Author:** ![frankie\_pentangeli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/cab0a1/32.png) [@frankie\_pentangeli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frankie_pentangeli)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seatbacks-and-trays-in-an-upright-position/214316/5 "2003-11-20T22:39:28Z")
hijack warning, pun unavoidable on a related note, why do airlines require passengers to open window blinds during takeoff/landing at night? ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seatbacks-and-trays-in-an-upright-position/214316/6 "2003-11-20T22:47:32Z")
> [@](#): > > Nice to know that Nanny is looking out for you. So drive. Oh, no, wait, there’s a seatbelt law for cars, too… Hey, at least with a standard Federal Reg then nobody can sue over not being told how to use a seatbelt. You know someone would. As stated before, there’s the “clear the exit routes” factor (which is why you carry-on must be _completely_ under the seat in front); there’s also how at full-upright and trays folded, if there’s some sort of sudden violent movement (say, a landing gear strut fails and you skid off into the embankment), you’re less likely to hit the tray table itself ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seatbacks-and-trays-in-an-upright-position/214316/7 "2003-11-20T23:50:16Z")
The open window blinds on takeoff and landing is also a safety measure, the idea being that if you have an evacuation situation and the eindows are open, passengers can see what awaits them outside (wouldn’t want to exit onto the wing with the burning engine) and the interior will be better lit. ---
**Author:** ![dbygawdcapn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dbygawdcapn/32/3995_2.png) [@dbygawdcapn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dbygawdcapn)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seatbacks-and-trays-in-an-upright-position/214316/8 "2003-11-21T02:42:49Z")
[pilot voice]Please return your stewardess to the upright position[/pilot voice] ---
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seatbacks-and-trays-in-an-upright-position/214316/9 "2003-11-21T04:03:02Z")
Deja-GQ or the feeling that this question has been asked before. How do I know this? Simple I posted it. Please use the search option, yes it is a pain to configure it each time, but it saves us all time in the long run.