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Why Some Airplane Seats Have a Black Triangle Above Them
Next time you’re flying, take a look above the windows—you might spot a small black or red triangle above certain seats. While they might seem decorative, these markings actually serve an important function for the cabin crew.
According to flight attendant @hennylim on TikTok, these triangles are visual indicators for two main reasons. First, they point out the seats with the clearest view of the wings. Second, and more importantly, they help the crew quickly locate the best vantage points for inspecting the wings during the flight.
These markers are aligned with the aircraft’s wings and guide crew members to the optimal locations for checking wing components like slats and flaps. This is especially important during turbulent flights or in cold weather, when it’s vital to make sure the wings are free of ice. Thanks to these triangles, crew members can perform visual checks from inside the cabin, without needing to move around unnecessarily.
Fun fact: seats beneath these triangles are sometimes nicknamed “William Shatner’s seat,” a nod to a famous scene from The Twilight Zone (not The X-Files), where his character sees something unusual on the wing.
In addition to the triangle markers, you may have noticed tiny holes at the bottom of airplane windows. Known as “bleed holes,” these aren’t defects—they’re an important safety feature.
As Henny Lim from Cebu Pacific explains, airplane windows are made of three layers. The bleed hole in the middle layer helps regulate air pressure between the cabin and the outside environment. When the plane ascends and external pressure drops, these holes allow the pressure to balance gradually, reducing stress on the outer window.
The FAA supports this, explaining that the holes also help prevent condensation and fogging between window panes, keeping the view clear and the cabin environment stable throughout the flight.
