Airplane windows are round rather than square for safety reasons, as explained by American Airlines pilot Captain Steve in a TikTok video. The square windows used in the 1950s led to inflight catastrophes due to the stress on the airframe causing hairline cracks and decompression that caused aircraft to literally come apart. To prevent these accidents, engineers rounded the windows’ frames, ensuring that they would not break under strain. Since the change to rounded windows, there have been no reported problems with inflight accidents caused by window design. Viewers of the TikTok video were relieved to hear the rationale behind this design choice, with some expressing that understanding these reasons made them feel more at ease when flying.
The incidents referred to by Captain Steve in the TikTok video are believed to be related to the UK’s de Havilland Comet 1 Aircraft, which experienced a series of inflight disintegrations between 1953 and 1954. After examining the wreckage from these crashes, flight forensics experts concluded that the relatively squarish windows of the aircraft were creating stress concentrations much higher than anticipated. These stress concentrations fatigued the material around the window corners, leading to a rupture of the fuselage, and potentially catastrophic decompression. The change to rounded windows effectively eliminated this issue, making air travel safer for passengers.
Viewers of Captain Steve’s TikTok video expressed gratitude for the explanation of why airplane windows are round rather than square. Many found the information helpful in reducing their fear of flying, as understanding the safety features implemented in aircraft design helped to ease their concerns. By learning about the history behind the design of airplane windows and the safety considerations involved, passengers may feel more confident in the structural integrity of airplanes and their ability to withstand the stresses of flight.
The design of airplane windows is not arbitrary, as they were changed from square to round in the 1950s to prevent inflight accidents caused by stress factors on the airframe. The shift to rounded windows eliminated the risk of decompression due to window frame cracks, ensuring that passengers are safe while traveling by air. The explanation provided by Captain Steve in his TikTok video helped passengers understand the importance of this design choice and the impact it has had on air travel safety. By being informed about these aircraft safety features, passengers can feel more confident and reassured when flying.
