Pilot explains why plane windows are rounded
A pilot has revealed why plane windows are the unique shape that we see today, sharing a glimpse into the world of airplane design and engineering.
American Airlines pilot Captain Steve, who regularly makes TikTok videos on the marvel of flying, shared the reason why plane windows today are slightly rounded instead of square, revealing why this design became the norm.
"Some of the airliners were designed with square windows and over in Europe as airplanes started to climb higher and require more pressurisation, they discovered a problem," he shared in a clip that has since been viewed over two million times.
Following a series of inflight disasters caused by their rectangular counterparts, the window designs had to be changed, as Captain Steve said, “The airplanes literally came apart.”
He added that "they lost a few airplanes in midair" because the square windows created "a hairline crack" right in the edge, and the stress on the airframe caused by the pressurisation was simply too much.
As a result, engineers decided to round the windows' frames so they wouldn't break under the strain and they've "never had a problem since," according to the pilot.
The video was flooded with comments by curious passengers, with one person writing, “I have never thought about this but it makes so much sense! Captain Steve is teaching us yet again.”
Image credits: Shutterstock