Airbus: technology to replace windows with video screens ready in a year

European aircraft-maker talking to airlines about trials on A380

Engineers at Airbus are developing a prototype, curved, high-definition screen to replace windows on aircraft that could be ready to fit onto its A380 within a year.

Speaking at the European aircraft-maker's annual innovation event in Toulouse, France, executive vice president of engineering for Airbus, Charles Champion, said the 'sky terrace' concept had to be tested on the market before it was fully developed.

Champion said: “The idea is to use the domed area of the A380 fuselage to compose an enhanced passenger outside view instead of a traditional window. We're in the feasibility stage, which means that this could come live in the coming year, probably a couple of years. We're engaged with the customers to see if we can have something after that.”

Some airlines use the domed area at the rear of the upper deck of the A380 as a lounge or shower room for first class passengers. The conical shape of the fuselage in the area meant Airbus was unable to place windows in it, so airlines could not place seats there. Curved screens had not been developed when the A380 was being designed.

“Our challenge is replacing the windows with high definition screens in the shape of the fuselage,” Champion said. “This could also be a way to enable the replacement of windows in modern aircraft.

“I think this is a very interesting concept, but we have to go step-by-step.”

Windows add cost and complexity to aircraft fuselage and eliminating them completely would also be beneficial for any blended wing body aircraft such as a future supersonic passenger aircraft.

Earlier this year, Boston-based Spike Aerospace, which is in the process of designing a supersonic business jet capable of carrying 18 passengers, mooted the idea of replacing windows with large video screens.