For those that like looking out of the window during a flight, surely bigger is better.
But which aircraft offer the largest windows?
While the size differences in most cases are minimal, there are a few aircraft that stand
out.
One of the facts often quoted about the Boeing 787 is its large and innovative windows. This
is not just marketing from Boeing; it does indeed have the largest windows ever seen
in a jet aircraft. The 787’s windows are 10.7 x 18.4 inches in size.
How has Boeing managed to increase the window size? The main reason is that the 787 has
a composite construction instead of aluminum. This is more resistant to fatigue, and therefore
allows for larger windows to be installed. Fatigue is the main reason windows have been
kept smaller in the past. The aircraft fuselage is continuously expanding and contracting
with changing pressures, and, over time, this can lead to defects. Larger windows would
increase this risk but less so with a more fatigue-resistant fuselage.
The next largest windows belong to the Boeing 777. These measure 10 by 15 inches. These
same windows are also used on the Boeing 767-400 and the main deck windows of the 747-8.
These are much larger than the windows on the 747-400 (and earlier), which were based
on designs and fuselage layout seen on the Boeing 707 (and also the 727 and 737). The
standard size of these is 9 by 12.5 inches.
On most of its aircraft, Airbus windows are generally smaller than those offered by Boeing.
The exception is the Airbus A220. It offers extra-large windows measuring 11 by 16 inches.
This aircraft, of course, was designed by Bombardier as the Bombardier C Series, before
being sold to Airbus. Of the other Airbus aircraft, the A350 has
the largest windows at 13.5 by 9.5 inches, followed by the A330 and A340 sharing the
same window design of 12.3 by 9 inches. So which aircraft has the largest passenger
windows? Well, the prize for the largest windows in
the air goes to Boeing and the Skyview Panoramic window. This is a massive panoramic window,
measuring 4.5 feet by 1.5 feet, developed by aerospace firm Fokker Technologies.
These are available on Boeing corporate aircraft only, through their Business Jet offering.
Boeing Business Jets are modified aircraft for the corporate jet market, based on the
737 family. Designing such a window has taken some time,
and according The Telegraph, has taken many years to get FAA and EASA approval. The window
can be installed in several specified locations toward the wings. It was only launched in
2018, and it remains to be seen what the uptake will be.
Whilst passengers generally like having windows on aircraft, they remain a point of weakness
in fuselage construction. Removing them would save money, both in maintenance and aircraft
operation. But would passengers be able to cope with it?
We are likely some time away from seeing this in practice. However, Emirates has entertained
the possibility of a windowless cabin. It has developed a first class suite with virtual
windows, and has begun to look at expanding this concept.
In reporting by the BBC, Emirates president Sir Tim Clark explained:
“Imagine now a fuselage as you’re boarding with no windows, but when you get inside,
there are windows. Now you have one fuselage which has no structural weaknesses because
of windows. The aircraft are lighter; the aircraft could fly faster, they’ll burn
far less fuel and fly higher.” There are many things to overcome before this
is made a reality. Safety is one (having vision outside the aircraft is vital in emergencies
or evacuations). Passenger anxiety and claustrophobia are others. But it is nevertheless an exciting
development, alongside the push to make windows bigger.
Do you care about having large windows on the aircraft you fly? Let us know in the comments
below!