Comments on: Memo Airbus: ‘No’ to windowless jets, ‘Yes’ to see through cabins http://blogs.crikey.com.au/planetalking/2009/05/13/memo-airbus-no-to-windowless-jets-yes-to-see-through-cabins/ Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:45:02 +1100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Bill Parker http://blogs.crikey.com.au/planetalking/2009/05/13/memo-airbus-no-to-windowless-jets-yes-to-see-through-cabins/comment-page-1/#comment-312 Bill Parker Wed, 13 May 2009 09:50:09 +0000 http://blogs.crikey.com.au/planetalking/?p=1367#comment-312 Gimme the Goggles Biggles! Gimme the Goggles Biggles!

]]> By: Ben Sandilands http://blogs.crikey.com.au/planetalking/2009/05/13/memo-airbus-no-to-windowless-jets-yes-to-see-through-cabins/comment-page-1/#comment-311 Ben Sandilands Wed, 13 May 2009 08:27:18 +0000 http://blogs.crikey.com.au/planetalking/?p=1367#comment-311 One thing that has come out of airlines using the broad herringbone pattern seat arrangement in business class (what's left of it) has been a rise in motion sickness. It seems that it isn't looking out a window that is as important as having a reference point, even if a distant view of set of windows. However in this type of seating in many cabins using it the passenger's eye line is always inwards, with the nearest window if there is any over one shoulder or behind the neck. If the flight bounces around at all, particularly a set of turns to line up at Hong Kong, ugly things are happening in a cabin where people used to pay for space and comfort. But human factors aside, the technical advantages of replacing windows with ultra high definition screens are definitely available now. One thing that has come out of airlines using the broad herringbone pattern seat arrangement in business class (what’s left of it) has been a rise in motion sickness. It seems that it isn’t looking out a window that is as important as having a reference point, even if a distant view of set of windows. However in this type of seating in many cabins using it the passenger’s eye line is always inwards, with the nearest window if there is any over one shoulder or behind the neck. If the flight bounces around at all, particularly a set of turns to line up at Hong Kong, ugly things are happening in a cabin where people used to pay for space and comfort.

But human factors aside, the technical advantages of replacing windows with ultra high definition screens are definitely available now.

]]> By: Josh http://blogs.crikey.com.au/planetalking/2009/05/13/memo-airbus-no-to-windowless-jets-yes-to-see-through-cabins/comment-page-1/#comment-309 Josh Wed, 13 May 2009 05:11:21 +0000 http://blogs.crikey.com.au/planetalking/?p=1367#comment-309 Actually I would think removing the windows which are after all basically holes cut into what is an otherwise sealed pressure vessel would result in significant cost savings in both maintenance inspections and in the fatigue life of the aircraft fuselage. (which of course would mean cheaper fares which seems to be all the average passenger cares about). Not to mention that I would assume that the aluminium would be a lot lighter than the equivalent quantity of perspex (or whatever they use) that is necessary to maintain structural integrity where the windows currently are. With modern video cameras I would not think it would be that difficult to embed cameras at various points on the fuselage or wings and provide all the passengers with video feeds of the world outside which would have the added advantage of providing all the passengers with the same choice of views not just those lucky enough to be assigned a window seat. I would also argue that with the outside reference removed it would be easier to rearrange the seating so that the passengers faced aft which has been shown to greatly increase survivability in the event of a crash. Actually I would think removing the windows which are after all basically holes cut into what is an otherwise sealed pressure vessel would result in significant cost savings in both maintenance inspections and in the fatigue life of the aircraft fuselage. (which of course would mean cheaper fares which seems to be all the average passenger cares about). Not to mention that I would assume that the aluminium would be a lot lighter than the equivalent quantity of perspex (or whatever they use) that is necessary to maintain structural integrity where the windows currently are. With modern video cameras I would not think it would be that difficult to embed cameras at various points on the fuselage or wings and provide all the passengers with video feeds of the world outside which would have the added advantage of providing all the passengers with the same choice of views not just those lucky enough to be assigned a window seat.

I would also argue that with the outside reference removed it would be easier to rearrange the seating so that the passengers faced aft which has been shown to greatly increase survivability in the event of a crash.

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