NFT: Windowless planes? Really?

Just make the seats a bit bigger and with more leg room.

when I see my "SOLAR FREAKIN ROADWAYS!!!!"

I dont consider myself claustrophobic - i mean i've never panicked in an elevator or anything - but I like to look out the window on takeoff and landing. I have no control over anything obviously, but i still like to see that the plane is on smooth landing approach, etc

It's always my luck since I fly with my kids and we book last minute that I end up with a middle seat (usually sandwiched between 'too fat for one seat guy' and 'really needed a shower' woman). It never fails that whoever has the window seat closes the window for the duration of the flight, and I find myself staring at it repeatedly wondering what the landscape looks like.

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In comment 11944534 montanagiant said:

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Just make the seats a bit bigger and with more leg room.

Its not totally useless. Removing the windows would provide more strength the fuselage. This could make planes lighter and/or allow more variations in airplay design.

Eliminating windows would make the plane lighter, stronger, and yes, even potentially increase seat room.

Probably years away from becoming a reality, but an interesting idea. Everyone will have a window seat.

In comment 11944580 Scyber said:

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In comment 11944534 montanagiant said: Quote: Just make the seats a bit bigger and with more leg room. Its not totally useless. Removing the windows would provide more strength the fuselage. This could make planes lighter and/or allow more variations in airplay design.

I think montana was agreeing with you, the windows being the 'useless' aspect. They are purely aesthetic, but IMO I'd rather have them even if there is a sacrifice in legroom and plane efficiency.

I'd put money of the fact that the most popular display option would wind up being an overlay on top of the video that looks like regular airplane windows.

the entire fuselage would be clear, see through... Eliminating the need for windows.

You'd be flying in a giant, clear tube.

Then flying back from Spain a few years ago we got rerouted way north of our intended route for some reason. We went through some pretty bad turbulence for a while, and you could actually look down and see icebergs in the water. Everything ended up fine and the pilots were probably never even worried about it, but ever since I've had major control issues when I'm flying. Every little sound is the prelude to a catastrophic depressurization now.

I'm not sure how I'd handle a plane like the one described here, if it would help or make me worse.

but not bothering to look at the picture the OP posted? It's a good idea, and if you take the time to watch the video clip, it increases the size of the cabin as well.

In comment 11944586 Britt in VA said:

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the entire fuselage would be clear, see through... Eliminating the need for windows. You'd be flying in a giant, clear tube.

Britt, I think you're a little off on this one. It's not that the fuselage itself would be of clear material but rather:
"instead of windows, the plane would have high-definition, flexible screens to show what's happening outside, as it soars through the air."

Or maybe you understood that already, and I'm a bit dense.

But so much for "This is the Captain. On the left is the Grand Canyon."

Also, what do you call the seats that used to be called window seats?

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I don't sit in front of screens enough, so I'm really glad we can cover the interior of an airplane with screens too!!

which with OLED eventually getting cheaper to manufacture (when, damnit!) will be the way a lot of things go.

Two problems I have with that - one, a digital display isn't lifelike even if it is HD (not the same as looking out the window, even if it's close), and two - how do you handle those people who don't want to see outside? People afraid of heights, etc? Now, they can just close the window. In this plane?

"The Rocky Mountains brought to you by Coors Light, made with Rocky Mountain shit water"

Some airlines these days let you listen to the pilot's communications on one of the entertainment channels. If you're ever freaking out, listening to those guys is a huge help. One time I was going through awful turbulence and I flipped over to hear the pilot just as calm as can be "sitting here at 30k feet, and it's pretty bumpy, has anyone had better luck at a different altitude?" Just hearing the tone of the pilots was really reassuring.

In comment 11944616 G.O.B. said:

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Some airlines these days let you listen to the pilot's communications on one of the entertainment channels. If you're ever freaking out, listening to those guys is a huge help. One time I was going through awful turbulence and I flipped over to hear the pilot just as calm as can be "sitting here at 30k feet, and it's pretty bumpy, has anyone had better luck at a different altitude?" Just hearing the tone of the pilots was really reassuring.

Thanks for the tip. I appreciate it.

Considering the development cycle from paper to production for commercial jets is close to ten years, it is safe to say that we are probably at least two to three decades from this concept ever gaining broad acceptance.

Right now passenger aircraft manufacturers are actually making windows significantly larger on their newest types.

I see your point but a few things:

1) I've got some issues with heights. Fine with a window on takeoff & landing, but I dont need the reminder for the entire duration of the flight. Especially if you are flying around lightning/storms off to one side or whatever.

2) What if i want to take a nap in the middle of the day? Seems like you have no control about how much light impacts your seat. Maybe there is a way around this, but not sure.

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The entire inner surface of the fuselage - or selected sections - can be covered with thin high definition, flexible displays screens onto the fuselage: either directly, or onto modular lining panels that can be used to conceal cabin utilities. This ‘multi screen’ approach means that panels can be used either as displays or for lighting, depending upon the cabin seating layout and seat pitches. This arrangement also has advantages over a single long screen running the length of the fuselage as any display faults could result in the removal of the virtual windows and lighting from an entire side of the aircraft, where the electrical losses in the system would be significant. Another advantage in this arrangement is that the system offers more flexibility in correcting the displayed images for parallax; this will increase the sensation of looking out of a window, rather than looking at a projected image. Internal tracking cameras could be used to project the image onto the screen from the point of view of the passenger- moving the image in accordance with the movements of the passenger’s head. Images would be relayed from a series of cameras mounted on the fuselage, potentially giving each display an uninterrupted view of the exterior (avoiding the wings and engines). Users in any seat will be able to select views from any side of the aircraft. It would not be necessary to reflect the actual view seen from a particular seat, so the cameras could be mounted in the most aerodynamically efficient positions on the aircraft. The lighting panels would allow the colour changes associated with sunrise and sunset to be controlled on long haul journeys, helping passengers to adjust to time zone differences.

Link - ( New Window )

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In comment 11944634 DC Gmen Fan said:

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In comment 11944634 DC Gmen Fan said:

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Thar be whales in here

...the puke on the side of the fuselage as somebody with vertigo looks down at Citi Field while arriving/departing LGA.

I've been a few very scary flights. One when traveling back to La Guardia from Tennessee, we entered a rough winter storm. The plane lost and gained altitude, rolled left & right as if it was an amusement park ride. I was scared shitless.

We actually landed safely and I learned these planes can do much, much more than we think. Rough terbulance has never bothered me again.

I was also on a flight leaving Memphis, had a window seat, and actually saw lightening strike the wing of the plane about 1 minute after take-off. There was a storm. The pilot immediately pulled the nose of the plane up, gave it what I believe was full throttle and we rose at a very steep climb. Another minute went by and we were in clear skies.

No worries.

would be hell during a lightening storm! Would the windows dim?? LOL

I was in a twin prop over the North Sea in a summer storm and it was a horror show. I fly a lot with my job...sometimes a trip a week but at least a trip a month for the last 13 years and I'd never experienced anything like this.

The airline sent us an e-mail apologising for it. It was the worst flight this airline had for turbulence in Europe for more than seven years.

Now I am kinda torn between terps and mrvax. I do get nervy when turbulence starts up but then I know I'm realistically never going to experience anything like that in a jet flight and that the planes can take much more than you think!

Don't know what it takes to rattle them - listen to the conversation between Sullenberger and the air traffic controller - "negative, we are in the river" as if he was asking for someone to pass the salt...

With balls that big it's a wonder the plane was able to get off the ground in the first place.

I think my biggest issue is the not knowing what's going on. I flew recently and the take off was a little bumpy (nothing crazy), and the plane accelerated and pitched up a bit (more severely than typical) until we broke through and it was smooth sailing. Great maneuver by the pilot that I probably would have appreciated more and feared less if I just knew it was coming.

I guess I'm just gonna have to ask to sit in the co-pilots seat next time.

In comment 11944588 Go Terps said:

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Then flying back from Spain a few years ago we got rerouted way north of our intended route for some reason. We went through some pretty bad turbulence for a while, and you could actually look down and see icebergs in the water. Everything ended up fine and the pilots were probably never even worried about it, but ever since I've had major control issues when I'm flying. Every little sound is the prelude to a catastrophic depressurization now. I'm not sure how I'd handle a plane like the one described here, if it would help or make me worse.

I'm in a similar bind. I had a bad experience years ago over Russia. I've been a nervous flyer ever since.

when you've made your resume telling Russian MiGs to fuck off or you've got to land a rocket powered paper airplane on an aircraft carrier

Check out the novel Airframe by Michael Crichton. It's amazing what these big jets can do and deal with.

where they are just piping in video as well as music.

In fairness, looking down to see CitiField (or at least the product on the field) is enough to make anyone puke, vertigo or not.

I detest flying. That's why you can usually find me in the airport bar before takeoff.

And now he's a naval flight officer. He told me something one of his instructors told him - a landing is nothing more than a controlled crash. That was reassuring.