Lets talk about the 787 windows

[Spacetravel]

I’ve had a problem with 787 windows for a while but after not having flown this aircraft for a bit then flying it again, made me realise both the issues with it and specifically how Qantas handles it.
The window lock, every single QF 787 fight I’ve been on the flight crew either lock the window open or closed for 99% of the flight. I understand locking it open during take off and closed during “night” but there is usually a few hours where the window doesn’t have to be locked in a position. Its so frustrating to have 0 control over the window.

Has anyone had a QF flight where the windows weren’t locked besides the critical phases of the flight?

To give a recent example on QF 75 the window was locked open for approx 3 hours into the flight, then around “sleep time” the windows were locked closed and kept this way until the captains arrival announcement well after breakfast which they were unlocked for approx 10 minutes until they were then subsequently locked open for landing.

Now my next gripe with the window is, being in a window seat on the sun side of the plane. When the sun came up it beams into the cabin through the “closed” window which was bright enough to wake me up and also I could feel the heat of the sun. When away from the window such as the isle it work’s sufficiently, but next to it, it feels like a tinted window.

For a blind-less window the technology is fairly impressive to be able to block as much light as it does, however for practical use “impressive” doesn’t cut it when I want it dark to sleep.

What is your experience with the 787 windows?

 

[Ade]

Has anyone had a QF flight where the windows weren’t locked besides the critical phases of the flight?

Can confirm flying PE, the windows were never locked for the whole duration of the flight. Note this is QF35 MEL-SIN AM departure.

 

[Spacetravel]

Can confirm flying PE, the windows were never locked for the whole duration of the flight. Note this is QF35 MEL-SIN AM departure.

Oh wow, maybe its only on the North America routes? I’ve only ever flown 787 to various NA destinations. But I have done this “many” times, maybe Ive just been unlucky?

 

[Himeno]

I hate the 787 windows precisely because they can be overridden and locked by the cabin crew.

 

[Ade]

Oh wow, maybe its only on the North America routes? I’ve only ever flown 787 to various NA destinations. But I have done this “many” times, maybe Ive just been unlucky?

Perhaps ... I have been on a few 787s in 2023, most of which were the QF35/36/38 ones in/out of SIN. For the night departures (QF36/38), I think the crew will lock the windows to tint, so that the cabin isn't too bright as we approach AU. I also remember having brekkie in Y with the windows still tinted and only *opened* 30 or so mins before landing.

window seat

I never sit in the window seat. Always choose aisle. So I have not experienced the *heat* from the sun side coming thru the window. But I agree with you that it would be annoying if there is only heat and no light, especially, if you have the blanket on, it might get uncomfortably warm when waking up.

 

[oz_boater]

Flew a 787 from Tokyo to Sydney recently with QANTAS

Windows not locked at any point (daytime flight)

Found it useful as even fully “dark” you could still see enough to know if it was work “clearing” the window to take a look / pic

 

[serfty]

With 787's I have come to the realisation that if in a window seat, not to expect any control ... and to be "grateful" if there happens to be any at any time.

 

[Townsend]

Were locked on Syd to DFW last month. However, a couple of hours before landing the crew were obliging when I asked if they could be unlocked.

 

[AIRwin]

Were locked on Syd to DFW last month. However, a couple of hours before landing the crew were obliging when I asked if they could be unlocked.

That would have been in the early afternoon local time

 

[yachty]

No strong opinions on it from me... I've not had them locked out for the entire flight, or at least I've never noticed. Beyond that, to me they're mostly indistinguishable from a regular shade. Like oz_boater, I like that I can still see what's going on outside without having to fully undim/open it.

I think most airlines have a policy not to lock them out for the entire flight now (at least in the US). Surprising if it's not so on QF.

The QF A350s will have dimmable windows too. Brace yourselves...

 

[Princess Fiona]

I’ve had a problem with 787 windows for a while but after not having flown this aircraft for a bit then flying it again, made me realise both the issues with it and specifically how Qantas handles it.
The window lock, every single QF 787 fight I’ve been on the flight crew either lock the window open or closed for 99% of the flight. I understand locking it open during take off and closed during “night” but there is usually a few hours where the window doesn’t have to be locked in a position. Its so frustrating to have 0 control over the window.

Has anyone had a QF flight where the windows weren’t locked besides the critical phases of the flight?

To give a recent example on QF 75 the window was locked open for approx 3 hours into the flight, then around “sleep time” the windows were locked closed and kept this way until the captains arrival announcement well after breakfast which they were unlocked for approx 10 minutes until they were then subsequently locked open for landing.

Now my next gripe with the window is, being in a window seat on the sun side of the plane. When the sun came up it beams into the cabin through the “closed” window which was bright enough to wake me up and also I could feel the heat of the sun. When away from the window such as the isle it work’s sufficiently, but next to it, it feels like a tinted window.

For a blind-less window the technology is fairly impressive to be able to block as much light as it does, however for practical use “impressive” doesn’t cut it when I want it dark to sleep.

What is your experience with the 787 windows?

Bring a dark colored, decent quality silk eye mask. The airline provided ones are pretty rubbish IMHO.

Sleep issue solved.

 

[frodo]

At least it's much improved from the earlier 787s.
This is from one of the jetstar 788s, as you can see it's on max darkness and yet it blocks out hardly anything.

Still prefer the normal window shades though.

 

[harryhv]

I bring a square of cardboard and some sticky tape

 

[Ade]

max darkness and yet it blocks out hardly anything

My understanding is that these windows are more about tinting the sunlight rather than block the sunlight. When on their max darkness setting, it looks like a blue night light, which I think is supposed to be calming and relaxing (some say calming light is Purple/Violet).

When flying in full sunlight, the blue color tint keeps the sunlight away. When flying in the night, well it's dark outside

 

[Ade]

I bring a square of cardboard and some sticky tape

I'm fairly certain that you are joking ... right?

 

[elanshin]

Also just for the record, its not just QF crews that lock the windows. I'd say its more common across the airlines for the crew to lock it than not.

In terms of the effectiveness, i understand what you mean, it blocks the light decently but not the heat and thus can get a bit warmer.

Apparently the newer (and a350) versions are supposed to be better, but everytime i try to get one of the new QF 789s they somehow dodge me.

 

[Lynda2475]

Also just for the record, its not just QF crews that lock the windows. I'd say its more common across the airlines for the crew to lock it than not.

^ This is my experience.

IMO on day time flights they should leave it up to the person sitting at the window seat to dim or not.

On overnight flights I find it annoying, if they are still locked when breakfast is being served 2 hours before landing. Everyone is up, so why not let some natural light in to help people wake up.

 

[Ade]

IMO on day time flights they should leave it up to the person sitting at the window seat to dim or not.

IME, In the day-time flights I have taken ex-AU (QF, MH, SQ, TG, EK) so far, the FAs will come after the first meal service and ask the shades to be drawn. This is because after the first meal service most pax will go to sleep (even if it is a day-time flight). Those that need light to read can use the overhead lights. Those that are not sleeping, might be watching a movie or something. But FAs explicitly ask the shades to be drawn. The light is seen as a disturbance in the cabin.

WRT 787s, QF staff asked us to dim the shade after 1st meal service.

Also, there will be some pax that prefer to have their windows NOT dimmed. But I have seen FAs come by and ask for it to be dimmed.

Post automatically merged: Feb 18, 2024

On overnight flights I find it annoying, if they are still locked when breakfast is being served 2 hours before landing. Everyone is up, so why not let some natural light in to help people wake up.

This I understand. They need to let the natural light come in a couple of hours prior to landing.

 

[OZDUCK]

Vietnam Airlines darkened the windows of our B787 after take-off from Frankfurt at about 2,000 metres. However by that time we were already above thick dark clouds and about to fly into more cloud layers above. However, they did not lock them and you could change the brightness level yourself. I have noticed that Scoot like to darken and lock them as well. QR darkened but did not lock on our J flights with them. On the A350 they lowered all the window shades automatically but again did not override your button.

 

[Lynda2475]

This is because after the first meal service most pax will go to sleep (even if it is a day-time flight)

Not my experience on day time flights, by this I mean a flight that departs and arrives during the daylight.

For example I've done 787 from LHR-JFK twice. It is only 7 hours, you get breakfast and lunch but no one really sleeping in between (most were working or watching IFE) so the shades open and only closed if person at window chose too.