6 days ago
Why Do Airplanes Have Small, Round Windows?
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When travelling on a plane, you must have wished for bigger windows, so that the view would be better. Did it leave you wondering why do all airplanes have such small windows always? Click on to find out why. (File Photo)
According to sources, the window seats of the plane were square until the 1950s. As flying gradually became more popular, airlines began to fly at higher altitudes for cost-cutting purposes. To make planes fly at higher altitudes, they had to be increasingly pressurised. (Image: Pexels)
As a result, pressure differentials between the inside and outside of the plane rose, creating additional stress. This proved fatal in two instances, resulting in enormous disasters in 1953 and 1954 when commercial airliners (De Havilland Comets, the first jet airliner) disintegrated midair. The last De Havilland Comet flight was in September 1981. Later, the cause of these sad incidents was said to be square windows. (Image: Pexels)
These tragic events made the engineers think of window designs with a fresh perspective. Later, engineers found that, due to the sharp edges of square windows, natural weak spots were created, which caused metal fatigue failure. (Image: Pexels)
The weakening of these corners was further accelerated by air pressure at high altitudes. Square windows fell apart under pressure because of the weakening of these corners. Rounded windows transmit pressure more evenly than square windows. It reduces the eventuality of cracks. Circular windows are more resistant to frequent pressure differentials between the inside and exterior of an aircraft. (Image: Pexels)
