Windowless cabin proposal for Emirates

[Ralphie]

It may sound silly but I really love the sneak peeks of looking out my window and seeing a certain mountain range or river, and/or playing guess the town.

That little glimpse is one of the things I most love, proof that I’m actually flying over <insert here>, and I can see the real version of it, just out of my little window.

Seeing a virtual version doesn’t interest me in the same way.

 

[Pleb Status]

EK were talking about introducing a Y- product recently.

They may decide to charge for access to 'the virtual window'....

 

[harvyk]

And if your sick of the advertisements shown before every movie, just look out of the virtual window.....where they’d be shown too !

I could just imagine it, on landing a message appears in the window "today's landing sponsored by Microsoft, that other windows company"

On a more serious note, given some airlines are removing IFE screens given most people travel with their own device it's not much of a stretch to imagine some saying "pax are watching their ipads, so why would we give them another screen."

I'd imagine those airlines might even install something that looks like a closed window which can not be opened rather than provide even a virtual window.

 

[SOPOOR]

If I'm smothered with Dom Perignon and lobster I'll be fine with that

 

[suze2000]

Can't think of anything worse. I love to look out the window and can do so for hours, watching the changing landscape below - especially at night. There's nothing I hate more than being told by the FAs to shut my window, no matter what time of the day or night. And what about the claustrophobic? And then there's the inevitable monetising of the space by putting ads on it. No thanks!

 

[BAM1748]

Wait until it goes wrong. Airlines could buy a windowless plane now if they wanted.

I hope Emirates go ahead and do it. Let's see if it's a winner for them.

Straw polls at the office and family all come back as a negative idea.

 

[kermatu]

Sounds awful. I can stare out the window for hours. It's my IFE. (Along with music and a decent whiskey)

 

[straitman]

If they go ahead with this they might just end up with virtual passengers when people fly with different airlines.

 

[moa999]

Airlines could buy a windowless plane now if they wanted

While they could replace the windows with screens, they wouldn't save any weight which negates the benefit. Perhaps they might do some small tests (maybe put a fake window in the 787 where it currently has a blank)

You really need an entirely new design with frame/skin assuming no windows to get the benefits.

That said a downstairs lounge on a QF 350/777 would be a great way to test the concept as it certainly won't have windows.

 

[Quickstatus]

No to windowless airplanes.
- my preferred aisle seat selection will see greater competition from ex window seat pax

Yes to windowless airplanes
- now all passengers can take a photo of the virtual window which depicts a premium view - where the wing is behind their sitting position and pretend they are premium. Some CEO will probably monetise a premium image while Y window views where wing is in front is free

 

[here2go]

Imagine 18 hours with this error on your screen

I agree with the sentiment having worked in a hospital that ran Windows 95 on the display for the lifts in the late 90s
However, I would hope that Emirates, and for that matter, Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, Bombardier et al look at Blackberry QNX (the OS used in Ford Sync 3 and other modern Car Console OS). Using Android or Windows could be a vector for something worse than Bluescreen of Death.

 

[TheRealTMA]

I agree with the sentiment having worked in a hospital that ran Windows 95 on the display for the lifts in the late 90s
However, I would hope that Emirates, and for that matter, Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, Bombardier et al look at Blackberry QNX (the OS used in Ford Sync 3 and other modern Car Console OS). Using Android or Windows could be a vector for something worse than Bluescreen of Death.

Well, the latest British aircraft carrier runs on Windows XP so go figure.

Personally, I close the blinds as soon as the plane reaches cruise so I’m happy with middle row F on EK if I’m ever lucky enough to travel in one.

 

[kelvedon]

If they go ahead with this they might just end up with virtual passengers when people fly with different airlines.

Or even a virtual holiday. Just stay at home and visit the destination of your choice from the safety and comfort of your home using Google Streetview.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Or even a virtual holiday. Just stay at home and visit the destination of your choice from the safety and comfort of your home using Google Streetview.

I've been waiting for printable LCD screens thin and light enough and efficient enough so that I can put a 3 x 2 m one on my office window then have it show images from other parts of the world. (*patented idea* I'll show you (sell you) mine if you'll show me yours).

 

[Flying Fox]

I would have guessed that this concept would add weight to the aircraft and hence increase EK's costs?

 

[harvyk]

I would have guessed that this concept would add weight to the aircraft and hence increase EK's costs?

It's not just the weight, power on a plane is also at a premium. Whilst they would certainly indulge some F pax, making decent quality large screens (to be roughly current window size) throughout the cabin would require a bit of power behind it. Plus the heat generated from the wiring.

This is not to say that it can't be done, it just seems to be a manager's idea rather than an engineers idea.