What Are The Triangle Symbols Above Airplane Windows For?

Next time you're on a flight, look just above the windows, and you might spot a small black triangle sticker. Most passengers never notice them — they're easy to miss, just like the tiny holes in the plane window. These triangle stickers play a major role in keeping the aircraft safe, especially during an emergency. However, only a few window seats feature them, as their placement is quite strategic.

Most planes typically have two triangles per side, carefully aligned with specific parts of the wing. These exact windows give the clearest view of the aircraft's wing structure. Flight attendants use them to quickly check the wings, especially the leading edge (front of the wing) and trailing edge (rear part where flaps and slats are located), during safety inspections. Instead of peering through every single window in the cabin, the crew knows exactly where to go when they need to check for ice buildup or mechanical problems. These small triangles ensure consistency and can even help detect issues before they become serious.

Aside from ice inspections, these triangle-aligned windows are critical during safety checks. Flight attendants use them to get a clear view of the key components of the wing, such as flaps, slats, and spoilers. The staff is trained to spot anything that seems off, and the triangle markers point them straight to the best place to do it. It's a small feature with a big impact.

Balancing is another reason why these triangles come in handy. If you've ever witnessed someone being asked to move to a different seat on a fairly empty flight, they might have been moved to a triangle-marked row. Some airlines may ask passengers to switch to those seats because they're close to the aircraft's center of gravity. Having the majority of the passengers in that general area helps balance the plane and improves fuel efficiency. As an added bonus, these seats are typically best for people who feel queasy, as the plane's movements aren't felt as strongly near the wings.

If you enjoy snapping wing-view photos during takeoff or landing, you might want to request a triangle seat next time you fly. In addition to safety and weight balance, these windows offer some of the clearest, most direct views of the wing in action. Retired aerospace engineer Lee Ballentine even dubbed this spot the "William Shatner seat" — a fun reference to the "Twilight Zone" episode where a gremlin crawls on the wing.

While tech has advanced and pilots have more tools at their disposal, the triangle seats are still used regularly. On certain Airbus models, the view from these windows even helps confirm that the landing gear is down. When systems fail, there's still no substitute for a direct line of sight. The method is definitely old-school, similar to the yellow hooks on the plane wings for emergencies, but it has earned its place even in the most recent aircraft for its reliability.