The real reason why planes have windows – and it's not what you think | The Sun

EXPERTS have revealed why planes really have windows in the cabin – and it's not what you think.

While passengers often book the window seat to have the best views during take-off and landing, many may have thought that windows are needed for safety reasons.

This is because flight crew recently revealed that window blinds have to be kept open in case of an emergency.

While this is certainly helpful, having windows is purely for passengers' well-being – and serve no actual purpose.

Software engineer Shaunak Bhattacharjeee explained on Quora: “Aeroplanes are not designed by keeping the luxury or comfort of the passengers but their safety.

“The main purpose of having windows inside an aircraft is simply not to make the passengers feel claustrophobic.

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“Otherwise, they serve no purpose but takes up more technology and money to construct them.”

Former US flight captain John Cox said this was also why plane windows weren't any bigger, saying: "The structure around the window is heavier. If you look at airplanes designed as freighters, they do not have windows."

Another pilot agreed, pointing out that cargo planes rarely have windows.

They wrote: "Windows exist on an airplane for psychological reasons only.

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"If it weren’t to help passengers feel less anxious (or simply enjoy the flight more), there would be no reason to add the weight of the windows nor put holes in an otherwise quite stiff metal tube."

There is also a very important reason why plane windows are round.

Planes originally had square windows, but were changed after two devastating crashes.

The sharp corners of the windows put the surrounding metal under extra stress in high altitudes — as much as two or three times more than other places on the plane.

The lack of sharp corners allowed the stress to flow more evenly around the edges of the window, which is why all planes now have curved panes.

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And here is why there are two tiny holes in plane windows as well.

Don't think about using the windows to sleep either – a flight attendant has warned you should never lean on the plane window, for a rather disgusting reason.

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