Why are plane windows so small?

Answer 1

First, the exterior skin is an aluminum panel. Anywhere you cut an opening, it weakens the immediate area. If you could see the inside of the panel around the window cutout (underneath the interior panels that covers everything), you would see that the entire area around the window is beefed up with a torque box. Same with the doors, cargo doors, cockpit windows, etc.
I. E., they are made small for strength (or more correctly, not to excessively weaken the structure) and not to add even more weight (which reduces fuel economy, and load that can be carried) due to the necessary reinforcement.

Answer 2

Large windows were tried in the 1st jet airliner the Comet. It was found after several crashes that the large windows promoted metal fatigue around the window frames. This would fail at high altitude and cause the the plane to decompress rapidly causing the plane to crash. The Boeing corporation seeing what had happened to the Comet used much smaller windows and this has been standard ever since. It should also be noted to make a window bigger means that some frames will have to go to make room for your window and that to would weaken the planes structure.

Answer 3

Lets put it simply.

Large windows have to cope with a higher load resulting from the differential pressure of the pressurisation system. So larger windows mean more weight. Its ok for the flight deck because there are not many windows, but count the total windows on a 747 and mutiply that by the extra weight. The other issue is that window holes effectively weaken the fuselage structure. To make up for that the fuselage has to be strengthened. The bigger the windows, the more strengthening. The more strengthening, the more weight.

So it all comes down to weight.

Answer 4

simple. at higher altitudes, the atmospheric pressure is much much much lower than where we are now. in fact, the pressure is lower than the cabin pressure. that is why most of the aircraft is made up of metal, so that it won't rip apart.

if you get bigger windows (cannot be thick, would be too heavy), there is a high chance the windows would shatter, due inability to withstand the difference in pressure. but with smaller windows, the windows would be structurally stronger, able to withstand the difference in pressure :)

you watched the National Geographic channel? they had this program which they repeated several times, Air Crash Investigations. there was this one episode which was related to this topic... the screws which holds the cockpit window onto the frame, were the wrong size. at cruising speed, they could not withstand the pressure difference and the window just flew off... the captain flew out, fortunately his legs got caught on the controls... the aircraft landed safely, no loss of lives :)

hope this helps :)

Answer 5

Weight. Windows and their support structure weigh more than aluminum. The number one factor in selling any aircraft to an airliner is how efficient it is. So a lighter plane, the more efficient and attractive product it becomes. New planes, 787, A380 and 747-800, will have a larger windows because of composite materials has gotten better and windows now weigh less.

Answer 6

Larger windows are possible, just look at the cockpit. Or private aircraft.

The size they have come up with has become a standard size, that allows the most amount of windows, without affecting the structural integrity of the aircraft frame.

But having a standardized size you save on bulk purchases, during construction and later replacement.

Answer 7

Plane windows are getting bigger. The A380 has huge windows compared to most other aircraft.

The main reason is expense. You can have huge windows but each window costs money to engineer into the structure since it requires a support frame and sealants to withstand pressurization.

Answer 8

I apologize on behalf of all the idiots that answered your question incorrectly, with only one or two hinting at the correct answer. It is for purposes of pressurization. The airplane needs to be pressurized in order to reach such high altitudes and still allow the passengers in the cabin to breath (and not freeze). This size window best withstands all the loads required for such pressure.

Answer 9

My guess is air pressure. Larger windows would not be able to handle the pressure, and would shatter. I would also guess that companies tried larger windows and found the 'perfect' size...

Answer 10

I think it's air pressure. Larger windows can't afford this much pressure.