Windowless cabins the future of air travel?

[NM]

from news.com.au:

TOURISTS heading south for the winter may be transported to their dream destination in windowless airliners flying in formations like geese if Airbus accepts the advice of tomorrow's potential aircraft engineers.

 

[jsd]

That would be stupid, suppose an engine fell off mid flight, no one would know what the problem was because you could not see it, it would also pose safety risk i.e over wing emergency exit doors

Anyway just my two cents worth

 

[samh004]

When landing these days you're required to have your window blind up, any reason for this? How would that affect a windowless plane?

I don't think it's a bad idea, it could work out very well. I'd think it's mean more use of lighting though, and that can't be good for the environment.

The windows should be on the top anyway, so you can see the stars.

 

[wandering_fred]

Fly the upper deck on the reconfigured CX 747s and you won't be able to see out the window anyway........:shock: Unless you neck swivels better than mine does.

Needless to say the new business seats are definitely not my favorites....

No wandering about that opinion

Fred

 

[codash1099]

That would be stupid, suppose an engine fell off mid flight, no one would know what the problem was because you could not see it, it would also pose safety risk i.e over wing emergency exit doors

Anyway just my two cents worth

I don't think I'd want to know about an engine falling off. As long as the pilot knew, that would be good enough for me.

I've always believed that window shades are up on takeoff and landing so that, in case of an emergency, people can see in. As for the presence or absence of windows, my experience is that for 80% of the flight there is nothing to see. View can be better obtained via strategically placed cameras.

I would imagine that lack of windows would increase strength allowing decreased weight and reduce air drag on the aircraft, both improving fuel efficiency.

 

[coco50]

When landing these days you're required to have your window blind up, any reason for this? How would that affect a windowless plane?

I don't think it's a bad idea, it could work out very well. I'd think it's mean more use of lighting though, and that can't be good for the environment.

The windows should be on the top anyway, so you can see the stars.

I agree with all of these comments.One of the great sights that I have seen while flying is a moonrise over the ocean on a flight from SYD - BNK. With regard to seeing stars, drink enough red wine or whatever and at some stage in the flight I guarantee that you'll see stars.

 

[simongr]

That would be stupid, suppose an engine fell off mid flight, no one would know what the problem was because you could not see it, it would also pose safety risk i.e over wing emergency exit doors

Anyway just my two cents worth

I would think that there might be some warning lights in the coughpit coupled with a little juddering...

 

[NYCguy]

I would think that there might be some warning lights in the coughpit coupled with a little juddering...

Yes, that occurred to me, too.

 

[mysavings789]

Airbus is seeking innovative and green-friendly ideas. I hope they could get the best idea without sacrificing the lives of the people.

 

[drron]

Fly the upper deck on the reconfigured CX 747s and you won't be able to see out the window anyway........:shock: Unless you neck swivels better than mine does.

Needless to say the new business seats are definitely not my favorites....

No wandering about that opinion

Fred

Couldnt agree more Fred.Just off CX FRA-HKG.The upstairs J cabin is just not my cup of tea.Seats are narrow.No point in having windows.Later in the flight walking to the loo you have to dodge all the feet protruding into the aisle.
Back to the drawing board CX.

 

[dot]

I think the thing to remember is that Airbus are just fishing for ideas here. They are trying to get a fresh pair of eyes on the problem in order to prompt further thinking on how they might develop future design ideas....

I personally think that windowless aircraft are inevitable. Boeing's work on blended wing body (BLB) designs will see cabins move from long and thin to a at least as wide as they are long. That will see the inside seats being used for F suites and the outside (furthermost from the centerline) being sold for Y (due to the greater vertical movement during aircraft roll manoeuvres further from the centerline). Windows (apart form skylight type windows) would be impractical and probably be replaced by screens showing a live camera feed of the side views. With the efficiencies promised by BLB designs, I think it is something that is going to happen - it may not be for another 30 years, but it will happen (I predict )

 

[Flying Fox]

I agree with Dot but hopefully they won't take out the windows without some form of replacement via video as windows give the impression of space to a cabin and without them the mental effects on travelers could be very bad.

 

[NM]

When landing these days you're required to have your window blind up, any reason for this?

Its seen as a safety issue. It allows passengers to view outside after a crash to see if its safe to exit the aircraft.

 

[harvyk]

When landing these days you're required to have your window blind up, any reason for this?

The reason is so that in the event of an emergency as much outside light gets into the plane as possible. Keep in mind that in an emergency the power may go out. This is also the reason they dim the lights. They are trying to get your eyes adjusted to the light level which you may have to deal with should something go wrong.

I personally don't see windowless planes as something which would ever take off (pardon the pun).

There are to many people who like the window seat, if nothing else to be able to look out the window (I'm one of those people)

 

[JohnK]

I don't think any of "top" ideas mentioned in the article would be considered feasible.

Passenger aircraft flying in a geese like formation? How many aircraft would be flying SYD-BNE at the same time to make this idea realistic?

Also I would not feel comfortable in an aircraft cabin without any windows even if they had TV screens showing images from outside....

 

[NM]

Passenger aircraft flying in a geese like formation? How many aircraft would be flying SYD-BNE at the same time to make this idea realistic?

Also I would not feel comfortable in an aircraft cabin without any windows even if they had TV screens showing images from outside....

Maybe having no windows would help passengers feel more comfortable when flying in the middle of a "geese" formation :shock:

 

[samh004]

Maybe having no windows would help passengers feel more comfortable when flying in the middle of a "geese" formation :shock:

That's a good point.

I'd think the future of air travel would include larger wings, or even 2 wings, like a biplane of old. More lift has got to be better for fuel economy, even if it looks cough.

 

[NM]

I'd think the future of air travel would include larger wings, or even 2 wings, like a biplane of old. More lift has got to be better for fuel economy, even if it looks cough.

But two wings also means more drag. Biplanes are efficient at low speeds, but we all want to go Trans-Pacific in <15 hours and the extra drag of a biplane design is likely to make for a much slower journey that we are willing to consider.

 

[codash1099]

But two wings also means more drag. Biplanes are efficient at low speeds, but we all want to go Trans-Pacific in <15 hours and the extra drag of a biplane design is likely to make for a much slower journey that we are willing to consider.

Bring back the Zeppelin!

 

[Cyclogenesis]

The idea I have heard I like best is the idea of an integrated hull/wing structure...

instead of a cylinder with wings a contiguous structure...

But these radically ideas are rather silly considering there are concrete steps that CAN be made in introducing composite materials into construction... get back to me when we have a carbon fibre jet-liner (so appealing given I am a cyclist )