March 12, 2014 — Over the last three weeks, there have been thousands of articles, news stories, and radio broadcasts about the windowless Multiplex Digital Cabin we will be featuring in the Spike S-512 Quiet Supersonic Jet. We were pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming interest in, and comments on, this concept.
Generally, most people get excited about the idea of being able to customize the view that they experience when flying. However, we have heard a few people express concern about claustrophobia, along with the potential effects of vertigo. Certainly, passengers’ previous experiences with windowed cabins will impact their initial perceptions of a windowless cabin. But, as this technology becomes the new standard, it will be natural to accept and enjoy it.
From the early days of commercial flight until about ten years ago, air-sickness bags were in each seatback pocket of every plane. Now, you rarely see them. Our bodies and minds have adapted to the vibrations, turbulence, rolls, and yaw motions of modern aircraft. This had nothing to do with the view out of the windows.
Besides, most of the time while flying, you can’t see much anyway. At night you are lucky to see a few stars – perhaps the moon and a wing light. When flying over the ocean, all you see are blue ripples extending to the horizon. During the day, if the sun is facing your side of the aircraft, your shade comes down. At other times, your jet is flying above clouds, and you see nothing but the tops of puffy cotton balls. There are only a handful of times when you have a great view of the Rockies, beautiful turquoise water and islands, or a city below.
The windowless Multiplex Digital Cabin of the Spike S-512 can present a live feed of the outside world, a beautiful sunset from another location, a movie, a PowerPoint presentation, or anything else you select. You can enjoy views of majestic mountains, beautiful clear waters and warm beaches, or your favorite city. Workaholics can hammer out their spreadsheets. If you can’t sleep, you can watch your favorite movies on high-definition panoramic screens. If you can, the strength and silence afforded by a windowless fuselage will let you get some much-needed rest in total comfort.
I have no doubt that adjustments will have to be made as this system is tested in actual flight conditions. But I do expect that windowless cabins will be the norm within 20 years – or sooner – on all new aircraft.
