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Boeing promised its 787 Dreamliner would offer a flying experience unlike any other airliner, and now the details are starting to emerge about the upcoming aircraft that made its public debut last month. Besides its mostly carbon fiber construction and energy efficient engines and aerodynamics, it will have the biggest airplane windows you’ve ever seen.
How big are they? How’s 19 inches tall sound to you? Boeing says that’s 65% larger than industry standard airliner windows. The windows will be placed higher, so we tall folks won’t have to bend our heads down just to look out the window.
The cool new tech doesn’t end there, though: You won’t find any pull-down shades on these windows, because each one is equipped with an electronic dimmer. Touch the control underneath the window, and within seconds an electrified darkening gel placed between the two thin pieces of glass gets darker like a pair of sunglasses, and you can adjust it to be anywhere from clear to almost totally dark. Best of all, even when completely dimmed, you can still see the darkened version of the outside world.
All the windows’ dimmers can be controlled by pilots and flight attendants using networked controls, which can either adjust each window, groups of windows, or all the windows on the plane. This might be useful when the plane is making its final approach, where airline regulations currently require that all window shades must be open during takeoffs and landings.
Boeing designers are still looking for ways to improve the technology. Says Boeing engineer Ali Mawani, “If we can automate the windows by just sensing the aircraft’s altitude, it makes it that much easier on the attendant, one less step.”
When will we see these planes available for passenger service? According to Boeing, All Nippon Airlines plans to be flying its first 787 Dreamliner in September.
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