Dear Airbus (and Airlines),
We hate dimmable windows.
Well, perhaps “we” is too strong, but I personally cannot stand them.
Airbus Unveils Dimmable Windows
Airbus has unveiled a new partnership with Gentex Corporation to offer dimmable windows onboard its aircraft.
If you have flown the Boeing 787, you know what these windows are like. Window shades have been replaced with two-tiered buttons that, like transition lenses, can lighten or darken.
Like One Mile at a Time, I detest these windows for four primary reasons:
- Crews (especially on United) quickly “lock” the window setting on dark for the entire flight, even on daytime flights
- The windows get very hot when the sun is shining on them
- Even in “dark mode” light still comes through when the sun is shining directly in
- The dimming is too slow
However, Gentex claims its next-generation windows will better block heat, offer high-speed transition between light and dark, and have an ultra-dark mode.
Even with those improvements, I would still hate to see a crew take control of the window shades on a daytime flight. However, I suppose if all three of those improvements are present I could live with the dimmable windows.
CONCLUSION
I believe that passengers should have the option of keeping their windows open on a daytime flight. For that reason alone I am against flight attendants locking dimmable windows. But I understand that this technology is appealing to airlines and would not be surprised to see it roll out on more Airbus aircraft.
What is your opinion of dimmable windows on airplanes?
image: Gentex
1000% Agree. On Qatar routes that operate the a350 & b787 – I actively book away from the 787 for this exact reason
I agree, dimmable windows are bad because flight attendants routinely dim them all, even at night.
In the daytime I like to look at the ground and clouds, and at night the stars and (on some routes) the aurora. This is impossible with the windows dimmed.
GPS signal. Period.
Perhaps I’m in the minority, but I appreciate the dimmable windows that can be locked by FA’s. For the most part, I’m sleeping or watching movies or working on long haul flights that are operated by a 787; I pay minimal attention to the clouds or ground passing below – if they’re even visible at the time of the flight. If I do want to see what’s going on outside, I’ll put the dim at about 1/3 or 1/2 so I’m keeping the comfort of others in mind while still being able to view the world below. On standard windows, I’ll keep the shade closed but maybe crack the very bottom 2 or 3 inches and take a peek, then close it completely when I’ve had my fill. As tailcams become more prevalent, this will be even less of an issue.
What I absolutely detest, though, are passengers lacking in common courtesy/sense that leave their shade completely or mostly up when clearly a vast majority of the others in the cabin are trying to sleep or watch their IFE without the resulting glare. It takes just one open window shade to illuminate the entire cabin. This is even more pronounced when a flight begins at night (when closed shades are unnecessary) but then traverses into sunrise and passengers are prematurely wakened because someone absolutely must have their shade open. It’s during these times I’m elated that the FAs can manipulate all the windows in the cabin. I’d estimate that on about 40% of my longhaul flights there’s at least one person that does this before being asked by an FA to close their shade. Perhaps I’m just unlucky…? And before anyone chimes in to call me a snowflake, yes I do wear eye shades. But many times those come off in the process of sleeping. Further – why should a majority of the cabin be inconvenienced because one person thinks their comfort trumps that of everyone else’s?
I think the happy medium would be to “lock” the dimmers at maybe 40% to 60% “dark” and allow it to be dimmed to 100% from there.
+1
+1.
as an aviation geek, I like to watch outside… day or night but still… please don’t be that jerk leaving the shade wide open when ‘most’ of others are trying to sleep or watch IFE without a glare.
I really don’t think we should all be sentenced to travel in the dark to suit you.
I never close the blinds, day or night and won’t.
I avoid the 787 because of this dreadful feature.
But everyone else should be sentenced to travel in the glaring light with you?
On a daylight flight the clinical evidence demonstrates it’s better to be in light and you will suffer less or even no jet lag. At night it makes no difference.
So yes, put up and shut up.
Phil, you clearly really are as much of an jerk as your language implies. Other’s preferences are as (if not more) important than yours, and the previous comments on this thread were respectful. Put up and shut up with that.
You all know they give eye masks in the amenity kit, right? If I want to look at the mountains or the night sky I should be able to.
A. Not every airline provides eye masks.
B. Did you even read the rest of the comment where I specifically address eyemasks? C’mon…I know my comment was lengthy-ish, but is your attention span really that short and/or your reading comprehension that horrendous?
Eye shades and eye masks are two different things
I have two principal complaints about dimmable windows: 1) as others have noted, I don’t like the fact that someone else (i.e. the FA) can take away my control of my window and 2) it is a high-tech solution to a low-tech problem. Dimmable windows just seem to me like one more thing that can break and require an expensive fix.
On the other hand, as someone who likes to leave my window open, I *do* like the fact that I can set the dimmer somewhere in the middle, allowing me a full view from the window while modulating the amount of light I’m letting into the cabin. (This is also why I try to pick seats that are on the side of the plane opposite the sun.)
Windows are a safety feature foremost. You can look outside to check for fire.
They are not there for your enjoyment.
If windows aren’t there for the view, why do I pay extra to sit next to them? Nobody’s paying to be Johnny Dangerspotter.
I’d love window that open. especially remote ones to suck some people out! All these debate on social media succumb to hate, anger, etc. It’s tiring.
If anyone travel frequently and is bothered by open windows, you can afford to invest in better eye shades!!! However there is NO alternative for those claustrophobic or just wanting a good view!
Personal choices are getting more rare, and something so basic, no matter how annoying, should not be automated.
Lockable dimming just saves time and effort from the crew having to go around telling people to close them. If the crew wants them closed then they’ll be closed one way or another
Here’s an easy fix, that should resolve all issues (except for idiots that just want to control other passengers). Dimmable windows would be perfectly fine, as long as…
1. Just add the conventional, plastic, manual, slide-down shade to any dimmable window. That way a passenger can instantly “shut” their window 100% anytime they want to completely block the sun (there are many times/reasons to do this). You get the ability to dim (and enjoy the “gee, whiz” technology), or completely block out all light, as you prefer. The cost to add this would be essentially zero. Win-win.
2. For any dimmable window, passengers should always have individual control and the ability to over-ride a global dimming setting implemented by the crew — EXCEPT during takeoffs and landings, when some airlines require windows to be “open” (ie not dimmed) during taxi/takeoff/landing phases as a safety measure. This would give everyone what they want: the crew can ensure windows are not dimmed during critical flight phases (a safety concern), but allow passengers to enjoy dimming the windows or not, as they choose.
The only thing this would not allow is the forced global dimming during cruise flight, which is inappropriate and anti-consumer.
This would be easy and cost nearly nothing to implement. It’s the right way to go. There’s no reason not to do this (other than stupidity and/or stubbornness and a desire to control passengers).
Who could possibly disagree?
I agree 100%, I understand that sometime in the long flights they control it to minimize jetlag of passengers, but sometime I just want to open the window just slightly to have a peek outside, and it is very annoying that they control it.
Debit: Windows are a safety feature. Using that stellar logic, so are seats, so they shouldn’t recline and so are seatbelts, so they should be able to be unbuckled unless by a FA like a ride at a carnival. Can’t believe you thought your one sentence line was smart and going to change peoples minds or add something of value.
Dear Debit: Looks like your brain has spent most of your life in the debit side of intelligence but not the credit side. No worries bro, there are a lot of people whose brains just didn’t click and are still supported by their parents. Kinda makes sense since most brain deformities are inherited. I pitty you and should you and I ever meet in real life I will leave my window shade open all the time in hopes to trigger you.
At least they are better than boieng.
What about Boeing?