Questions tagged [windows]

Used for questions pertaining to aircraft windows.

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11 votes
4 answers
8k views

Why don't Airbus planes have perfectly smooth front sections?

From time to time I like to watch a planespotting video and I must say that one tiny detail bothers me a slight bit. Look at this Boeing plane: And at this Airbus: In particular, examine the section ...
scrrr's user avatar
  • 219
13 votes
1 answer
5k views

Passenger window insert pops out mid-flight

I was on a domestic flight from DCA to ORD in December on an Airbus A319. I was in row 31 and two rows ahead of me on the left side of the plane, I noticed while deplaning at ORD the passenger window ...
MJBS02384's user avatar
  • 131
1 vote
3 answers
8k views

What will happen if suddenly a window breaks during flight?

What will happen when a window of a flying aircraft breaks and is removed? Will we survive in that aircraft?
Rashid's user avatar
  • 141
2 votes
1 answer
424 views

What windshield washer fluids do aircraft use?

What are the fluids currently used on commercial aircraft that have an in-flight windshield washer system (not just a wiper)? And if they exist, are there fluids more "ecological" that could ...
Gabriel's user avatar
  • 21
17 votes
3 answers
5k views

Why were square windows a problem for the Comet, but not for the Super Constellation?

Famously, one of the problems dooming the Comet was the square windows. But the contemporary Super Constellation also had square windows but I can't find any articles detailing similar problems to the ...
chx's user avatar
  • 689
6 votes
1 answer
424 views

Did the Concorde have darkened windows?

Did the Concorde and the Tu-144 have darker window glass than subsonic airliners, to protect from the Sun when flying above 9/10 of the atmosphere? Or were the crew and passengers at higher risk of ...
Better not tell's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
401 views

What is this stripe on the windshield of the Embraer E-Jet?

I noticed that there is a stripe along the upper edge of both forward windshields in the Embraer E-Jets: (cropped from Wikimedia) I tried to find a better picture, but couldn't find anything closer. ...
Bianfable's user avatar
  • 55.9k
4 votes
1 answer
1k views

Why did the design of the Boeing 247's cockpit windows change for some models? [duplicate]

Have a look at this article on a famed example of the 247. The image at the top is the aircraft during its flights with the RAF, likely some time in 1944. Note the reverse-slope windows that are a ...
Maury Markowitz's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
214 views

Why and how were "eybrow windows" helpful in tight turns?

It is written in some answers that "eybrow windows" were helping pilots in "tight turns". How did this work? These tiny windows seem located right above the head, so I would not ...
h22's user avatar
  • 12.1k
13 votes
1 answer
2k views

Electrically heated windshields are mostly transparent, but their colors vary from light blue, yellow or light pink. Please explain

Found it on a quiz worded this way. No other details unfortunately. I can only assume it has to do with the heated element materials of tungsten or molybdenum reaction with film layer materials. ...
JbAIM's user avatar
  • 139
35 votes
2 answers
11k views

Why do helicopters have windows near the pedals?

What is the purpose of the clear windows in some helicopters in the floor of the nose, right where the pilot's feet and pedals are? For example, here's a Huey with windows clearly visible: Airbus ...
Sam Pierce Lolla's user avatar
32 votes
3 answers
16k views

Why are commercial aircraft windows typically oval instead of circular?

Pretty much what the title says. Surely a circular window would allow more window area while not compromising on strength? Some planes(Gulfstream jets) do have circular windows. Is there a reason for ...
pirocks's user avatar
  • 680
17 votes
2 answers
5k views

Why did early 747s have only two or three windows on the upper deck on each side?

All 747-100s and some 747-200s were built with just three windows on each side of the upper deck.[1] I'm wondering why so few? Some of the 100s were retro-fitted with ten windows on each side, so ...
Party Ark's user avatar
  • 13k
0 votes
1 answer
726 views

How do aircraft window size compare to each other? What are some possible improvements on them?

I'd like to see a comparison about the window sizes of various commercial aircraft, maybe to give evidence of eventual progress in it over the generations. For example, I surely know that the B-787 ...
Luca Detomi's user avatar
  • 1,992
3 votes
2 answers
407 views

What is the A350's procedure for stained cockpit windows?

Recently I read of this Ethiopian B737 incident at Dire Dawa on Jan 9th 2020. The aircraft flew through a swarm of locusts, which didn't cause any significant damage, but it rendered the cockpit ...
Jan Hudec's user avatar
  • 56.3k
20 votes
2 answers
12k views

Why do flight attendants on the 787 lock the dimmable windows at different phases of the flight?

I’ve heard of many passengers complaining about the FAs locking the dim setting at different phases of the flight. Seems to be something the passengers definitely don’t like. And the passengers cannot ...
George Clooney In a Mooney's user avatar
15 votes
3 answers
4k views

Why were the windows on the Concorde about the size of a hand?

I just saw a comparison between the 787 and Concorde windows. I could be wrong but it almost seems like a hand could cover the majority of the window.
George Clooney In a Mooney's user avatar
15 votes
1 answer
5k views

Why is a 737 Original speed-restricted below 10 kft with inoperative windscreen heating?

According to this page on the 737's operational limitations, the Original 737s (737-100/-200) are limited to 250 KIAS below 10 kilofeet if the windscreen-heating system is inoperative: Anti-Ice & ...
Vikki's user avatar
  • 28.3k
16 votes
2 answers
4k views

Why are several of the Tu-104’s cabin windows oddly positioned?

The Tu-104 (the fourth jetliner to fly1 and the second to enter revenue service2) has a cabin-window layout that is... somewhat odd, to say the least. From front to back: What appears to be the ...
Vikki's user avatar
  • 28.3k
2 votes
2 answers
461 views

Is this frost or frozen bacteria in clouds?

I was recently flying back from Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) to Birmingham Airport (BHX/EGBB) and I had the luxury of sitting at a window seat behind the wing. I think the plane was a Boeing 737-...
Zac Grierson's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
1k views

What is this plastic device inside the plane window?

I saw this on a recent domestic flight. It was glued on all the windows of the plane, behind the first layer of plastic. What is it and its purpose?
Angel Perea's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
1k views

Why do the CRJ700 window shades open in different directions?

On a CRJ700, the window shades in the rows immediately fore and aft of the exit doors open downward. All the rest open upward. Seen on more than one aircraft. Is there an engineering rationale for ...
WGroleau's user avatar
  • 247
2 votes
0 answers
126 views

Where are the black triangle'd seats? [duplicate]

There are two windows marked with a black triangle, which indicate that they provide the best view for the wing, when the crew needs visual. Since A320s are probably the most popular birds out there ...
gsamaras's user avatar
  • 1,767
33 votes
1 answer
14k views

Why does the A380 not have front windows on the top floor?

The title says it all. On the 747, the cockpit is in the upper level and in the lower there's equipment (radar, avionics, etc.) But on the A380, the cockpit is in the lower floor and there's no ...
orique's user avatar
  • 1,550
4 votes
3 answers
666 views

Freezing cold cabin housing just under a window

I flew on a Boeing 737 plane yesterday and was sitting next to 2 windows. When I tried to rest my arm on the inner housing of the cabin during the flight, I noticed that the inner cabin housing just ...
Alex's user avatar
  • 43
76 votes
4 answers
26k views

Has any passenger airliner ever offered forward-facing windows?

The empty, dolphin-like, forehead of the A380 seems like it would be an amazing place for the first and/or business class bar, especially if it had forward-facing windows. I realize in the A380's ...
Dan1701's user avatar
  • 1,447
31 votes
1 answer
6k views

Why do cockpit windows often appear to have a rainbow ‘tint’?

Why do cockpit windows often appear to have a rainbow ‘tint’? It’s similar to what you would see when looking at a shallow puddle of water with oil on top. Here is an example of a B777 cockpit window ...
TayE's user avatar
  • 6,595
1 vote
2 answers
225 views

Windowless VS windowed aircraft [duplicate]

While Emirates was showing off its triple seven's ability to provide crystal-clear viewing from virtual windows, it mentioned: "that could be a step to windowless aircraft", and I felt like ...
gsamaras's user avatar
  • 1,767
13 votes
2 answers
3k views

How frequently are airplane windows cleaned?

When you’re driving on the highway, after sometime unwanted insects and dirt accumulate on your windshield. When you stop over at a gas station, you might clean it off. It’s likely the case for ...
TayE's user avatar
  • 6,595
0 votes
1 answer
365 views

What is the main materials of the windshield? And how do they function in bird strike? [duplicate]

I would like to know what the latest materials used for civil and military aircraft windshields are. And I wonder if the materials are advantageous in the event of a birdstrike.
Kendra Yang's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
468 views

How did the windshield technology evolve?

I would really appreciate it if someone could please explain the differences and similarities between the cockpit windows of a Boeing 747-400 and Douglas DC-3. I am just trying to figure out how the ...
Nauman Shahid's user avatar
28 votes
3 answers
12k views

Can cameras and LCD screens replace cabin windows?

Windows in aircraft create a weakness to the structure, that is why they are very small. I'm not asking about installing them in the cockpit, which would create safety pitfalls, but could the windows ...
securitydude5's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
397 views

How can I use a window for an emergency exit?

A survivor of US-Bangla Airlines Flight 211 crash reports exiting out of a broken window. My question is, in case you need to break an airplane window, what is the best way to do that?
Regmi's user avatar
  • 925
1 vote
0 answers
109 views

What happened to the 737's cockpit skylights? [duplicate]

Older-model 737s had very distinctive set of upwards-facing windows above the main, forwards-facing cockpit windows; not unlike those you'd find on MD-80-series airliners and on 727s. These windows ...
Jules's user avatar
  • 985
24 votes
3 answers
10k views

Why does the Boeing 787 have fewer cockpit windows?

Why does the Boeing 787 have fewer cockpit windows? The 787 has only 4 cockpit windows, whereas other airplanes have 6. Here is a comparison between the 787 and 777: ^ 787 V.S. 777 v
TayE's user avatar
  • 6,595
4 votes
1 answer
859 views

What is a Virtual Window in an aircraft?

I heard about Virtual Windows in the Dubai show, but I didn't really got it. What is it? In a demo, when they opened the shields, I could just see the ground handling before taxing. Search engines ...
gsamaras's user avatar
  • 1,767
5 votes
2 answers
2k views

How can I find out how much a passenger window of a Boeing 737 costs?

Where do I have to look to find out how much a passenger window of a Boeing 737 costs?
Prasit Sumanutvarapun's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
1k views

How many layers do the Boeing 787 cabin windows have and what might make them fail? [duplicate]

I am interested to know how the Boeing 787 cabin windows are made. Specifically, how many layers do they have and what can make them crack in-flight?
Mike's user avatar
  • 31
5 votes
0 answers
657 views

How much more efficient is an aircraft with no windows? [duplicate]

How much more efficient is an aircraft with no windows (in terms of operation)? Consider the hypothetical situation where you have two aircraft identical in every way, except one of them has no ...
TayE's user avatar
  • 6,595
2 votes
1 answer
893 views

Why are the cabin inner windows so flexible?

A few days ago I flew on an A321. While pointing to something outside my finger touched the window. It made a crackling sound and felt quit flexible. I was able to push it at least 5mm without any ...
merspieler's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
362 views

What is the explanation of the apparent staining inside this airliner window [photo]?

On a recent flight, I noticed a pattern of staining or dust particles inside the window, on the plastic reveal within the cavity. It looked as though a long-term and consistent pressure differential ...
Daniele Procida's user avatar
26 votes
1 answer
4k views

What is this yellow section around the cockpit window?

Saw this while boarding the flight the other day, travelling between HYD (Hyderabad, India) to CCU (Calcutta, India) on Indigo Airlines. Aircraft was an Airbus A320. There was a yellow patch around ...
Firee's user avatar
  • 9,131
2 votes
2 answers
1k views

What is the technical name of the electric window dimming system?

I have recently flown from Mexico City (MMMX) to Tokyo, Japan (RJAA) in a Boeing 787 of All Nipon Airways (ANA). The plane had an electric system for dimming the windows. Does the window-dimming ...
ncomputers's user avatar
11 votes
2 answers
2k views

Why do aircraft on a junk yard have blind windows (e.g. German "Landshut")?

Today I saw a picture of the “Landshut” (named after a German city, pronounced lund's hoot, not Land shut). The aircraft was hijacked in 1977 and now rusts at the airport of Fortaleza (Brazil) since ...
PerlDuck's user avatar
  • 3,186
6 votes
4 answers
965 views

Does closing window shades save fuel?

On a 13-hour flight all shades were ordered closed (entire flight—not cool), same airline on a 3-hour route, same thing. Both flights took off in the morning, around 8 AM. Only reason I can think of ...
user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
2k views

Do any aircraft windshields have anti-reflective coatings?

Anti-reflective coatings are used in many applications to reduce glare and prevent double images. Double images in particular are a concern because of the several layers involved in a cockpit window. ...
Cody P's user avatar
  • 6,773
19 votes
1 answer
2k views

What's the point of writing on a cockpit window?

Why would a pilot write on the cockpit window like this? From: source
Pierre B's user avatar
  • 480
9 votes
1 answer
2k views

Why are the windshield wipers in the A320 power-up checklist?

I was watching the startup sequence for an A320 and it struck me as unnecessary minutiae to ensure the wipers are off before power on. Is there something important that I'm missing that puts ...
joshperry's user avatar
  • 556
1 vote
1 answer
380 views

How did the B707 and DC-8 fight stress at the windows?

As it is evident from this question, 4 (or 3) de Havilland Comets crashed because of stress building around the rectangular windows. How did DC-8 and B707 fight this problem, especially as it is ...
anshabhi's user avatar
  • 11.5k
1 vote
1 answer
691 views

Do jets use tinted windows?

For cars, I've heard of LLumar used as window tint. Do jet aircraft use window tint? If so, what type of window tint do they use?
Raymond's user avatar
  • 19