A concept view of the passenger section of the windowless plane. (Photo courtesy Centre for Process Innovation)

In the windowless plane, passengers would be able to switch the view on and off according to their preference, identify prominent sights by tapping the screen or just surf the internet. (Photo courtesy Centre for Process Innovation)

LONDON : The world’s first windowless plane is all set to take off. A British developer will soon test a windowless plane that allows passengers to see what’s going on outside.The windows would be replaced by full-length screens allowing constant views of the sky and space outside.Passengers would be able to switch the view on and off according to their preference, identify prominent sights by tapping the screen or just surf the internet.Scientists and engineers at Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) called it “the windowless cabin with a view”.They said, “The days of glimpsing the world through a tiny plastic porthole when you fly are soon to be a thing of the past; future aircrafts will offer a crystal clear panoramic view without any windows at all. We are developing ultra-flexible, high-definition display technologies that could line the interior walls of cabins and display live footage from external cameras.”As well as surrounding passengers with a panoramic view of the skies, this interactive ‘digital wallpaper’ will allow travellers to personalize their environment providing options to adjust lighting or change the view. It could also be used as a multimedia device for in-flight entertainment.Using OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) technology, the thin, bendable and lightweight displays screens will blend with the fuselage and surfaces such as seatbacks optimizing space and reducing the weight of the aircraft.Weight is a constant issue on any aircraft with over 80% of the fully laden weight being the aircraft itself along with its fuel. For every 1% reduction in weight the approximate fuel saving is 0.75%.They added, “If you save weight, you save fuel. And less fuel means less CO2 emissions into the atmosphere and lower operational cost. Windows currently require meticulous construction to ensure that their structure maintains cabin pressure and resists cracking at 35,000 feet. Fully integrated OLED technology is still in development across the globe.”Simon Ogier, research and development manager at CPI, said, “Our role is to turn innovative technology concepts such as OLED displays into manufactured products.”