Lets talk about the 787 windows

[Spacetravel]

Vietnam Airlines darkened the windows of our B787 after take-off from Frankfurt at about 2,000 metres. However by that time we were already above thick dark clouds and about to fly into more cloud layers above. However, they did not lock them and you could change the brightness level yourself. I have noticed that Scoot like to darken and lock them as well. QR darkened but did not lock on our J flights with them. On the A350 they lowered all the window shades automatically but again did not override your button.

I don’t mind if they change the darkness to “suggest” where they should be but the locking more often than not is frustrating. Especially that the windows have a “dim” feature maybe I want it a shade brighter so I can see out but minimise disturbance.
I left off my first post the window issue is enough to make me attempt to avoid the 787, I admit most routes this isn’t a choice available. Or at least not want to sit in a window seat due to the sun not entirely blocked out when attempting to sleep.

 

[serfty]

In terms of the effectiveness, i understand what you mean, it blocks the light decently but not the heat and thus can get a bit warmer

Actually the "dimmed" windows absorb the light energy and radiate this as heat.

 

[Daver6]

At least it's much improved from the earlier 787s.
This is from one of the jetstar 788s, as you can see it's on max darkness and yet it blocks out hardly anything.

Still prefer the normal window shades though.

View attachment 371625

 

[Larko1]

Not my experience on day time flights, by this I mean a flight that departs and arrives during the daylight.

For example I've done 787 from LHR-JFK twice. It is only 7 hours, you get breakfast and lunch but no one really sleeping in between (most were working or watching IFE) so the shades open and only closed if person at window chose too.

Same with QF3 to AKL last Friday. Dimmed to purple/violet@ my seat, chap in 4K was sleeping and his windows were black

 

[encryptededdy]

Admittedly I've only flown the Qantas 787 twice (once to LAX and once to Tokyo), but I've never experienced Qantas crew locking the windows.

 

[RooFlyer]

When flying in full sunlight, the blue color tint keeps the sunlight away. When flying in the night, well it's dark outside

My only recent experience was SYD-SCL-SYD. On the flight over, windows dimmed/tinted for the middle part of the flight, but I was unlucky in that the angle of the sun wrt my seat meant I had direct sun into my eyes when sleeping facing the window. (I can't sleep in an eye mask, but might investigate the silk one described by @Princess Fiona ). Sure, sleep on other side, but as sun/light avoidance, the system is carp.

An hour or so out of SCL, as we went over the coast and then the Andes, breakfast was being served, virtually the whole cabin was awake but the windows remained dimmed. I asked if they may be released from lock but was told 'we only do that on top of descent'.

On overnight flights I find it annoying, if they are still locked when breakfast is being served 2 hours before landing. Everyone is up, so why not let some natural light in to help people wake up.

Agree - per above.

 

[SYD]

My only recent experience was SYD-SCL-SYD. On the flight over, windows dimmed/tinted for the middle part of the flight, but I was unlucky in that the angle of the sun wrt my seat meant I had direct sun into my eyes when sleeping facing the window. (I can't sleep in an eye mask, but might investigate the silk one described by @Princess Fiona ). Sure, sleep on other side, but as sun/light avoidance, the system is carp.

An hour or so out of SCL, as we went over the coast and then the Andes, breakfast was being served, virtually the whole cabin was awake but the windows remained dimmed. I asked if they may be released from lock but was told 'we only do that on top of descent'.

We had them unlocked a good few hours out from SCL coming in last week. So I managed to get a few photos. But yes, prior to that the sun beaming in like a full moon at night was a bit weird…

I wasn’t conscious of what time they were locked. I was watching Oppenheimer - which lasted half the flight…

 

[bPeteb]

Very much hoping they don't lock them for our SYD-JNB flight in late July

 

[SYD]

Very much hoping they don't lock them for our SYD-JNB flight in late July

although I believe the B787 doesn’t fly as far south as the B747 used to and the A380 would have - had they not been delayed on that route?

 

[bPeteb]

although I believe the B787 doesn’t fly as far south as the B747 used to and the A380 would have - had they not been delayed on that route?

We're certainly not expecting to see any ice but there's always hope. The fight maps of Qantas' 787s seem much 'shallower' than the deep dip of the 747s

 

[SYD]

We're certainly not expecting to see any ice but there's always hope. The fight maps of Qantas' 787s seem much 'shallower' than the deep dip of the 747s

The couple of times I’ve flown SYD-JNB (previously on 747s) we didn’t see anything BUT twice EZE-SYD and SCL-SYD on 747 we got great views. I’m not expecting to get those in a few weeks doing SCL-SYD on the 787 (with or without the shades locked…).

 

[Cognac]

An hour or so out of SCL, as we went over the coast and then the Andes, breakfast was being served, virtually the whole cabin was awake but the windows remained dimmed. I asked if they may be released from lock but was told 'we only do that on top of descent'.

I've had the windows locked on a couple of occasions. I don't mind it for the UHL flights (SYD-YVR, PER-LHR) as generally I'm trying to sleep. But it would be nice if they had them unlocked a bit longer before arrival than simply top of descent. I just assumed they forgot to do it.

Daytime flights they tend not to be locked in my experience (eg PER-MEL or PER-SYD legs of QF10/QF6). Haven't done the daytime flight SYD-HND so can't comment on that one.

 

[RichardMEL]

OK my turn to ramble on about this topic. I am not the biggest fan of this "featiure" with the exception of being able to enable a slight to mid tint on windows in flight to still give light, but not the full glare. Some QF flights have recently had this kind of setting set in cruise and I've quite liked that. Some crews lock them, some don't.

Had the same on UA, AA and others tbh. One flight on UA had the windows darkened prior to take off which was weird since I always thought a key criteria of "window shades up" on most airlines for takeoff and landing was to be aware of the outside situation in case an evac is needed. Still, that's how they roll sometimes.

I do agree with those that have commented that the actual technology, or application of it, has improved dramatically. Comparing some earlier build birds I've been on, where the max "dark" setting just puts a greeny tinge through a cabin in direct sunlight to most of the QF 787's and newer build UA 789's and others' I've experienced have meant the dark is VERY dark. Not fully black (and yes, do get very warm in the full sun, just like conventional windows) but it's far far better.

I can see both "sides" of the isue with the crew locking (or not) the windows. I mean if you're enjoying a quiet dark cabin, and that one person pulls their shade open letting in bright light it can be distrubing if you're watching a video or working or something, OTOH if we have a window seat we should be able to get a view if we want within reason (then it becomes an issue of common courtesy).

I guess locking of the windows in this manner makes this something crew don't have to deal with if that window can't be made clear then only the person who wants it is annoyed, rather than others in a cabin who might complain to crew.

Personally I don't get too worked up about it. As with most things there are pros and cons. I'm more concerned that dark actually is dark rather than "green sunlight" as noted above though, though I've not personally experienced this for som years (I wonder if earlier builds have been retrofitted somehow?).

 

[jastel]

Hate them...avoid 787 if I can...yes I realise my days of control of the window are numbered.
I prefer window seats and have many pix from them.
If we cant look out of the windows then just do away with them altogether.
We can then book WALL, MIDDLE or Aisle.

Have had some locked some not. Qantas cough about blinds open for takeoff and landing but other airlines they have all blinds shut to keep planes warm/cool.

The main reason they want blinds shut is so pax do go to sleep and there is less work for the Crew.

It is in the same vein as the recline arguement...lets give the crew control over seat recline!!
Who would vote for that?

Just because the Crew decides its Nap Time doesn't mean we all want to go to sleep,
When I want to sleep someone will be reading with a light on annoying me.

Basically if YOU want something one way, SOMEONE ELSE will want it the opposite way.

Its called LIFE.

 

[GoldenTouchdown]

The main reason they want blinds shut is so pax do go to sleep and there is less work for the Crew.

I’ve noticed a positive correlation between the proactiveness of crews and whether windows are kept unlocked during 787 flights…

Just because the Crew decides its Nap Time doesn't mean we all want to go to sleep,
When I want to sleep someone will be reading with a light on annoying me.

May I express my deepest apologises for being that avid glowing bookworm throughout my travels

 

[jastel]

I apologise for getting sunlight on you by opening the blind....

 

[ecst]

I'm almost at the stage where I try to close the manual blinds even during night time, just to minimise the amount of UV exposure at cruising altitude. does anyone have any info on the performance of UV filtering on the 787's

aside from that, personally I'm not fussed and happy to use eyemasks if I'm sitting in the aisle seat

 

[Austman]

Qantas cough about blinds open for takeoff and landing but other airlines they have all blinds shut to keep planes warm/cool.

What airlines allow blinds to be closed during takeoff and landing?

 

[RichardMEL]

What airlines allow blinds to be closed during takeoff and landing?

UA and AA are two ai have experience of.

I am the guy who opens because I want awareness of where I am vis-a-vis TO and landing.. plus I love the view.

Have taken off in mostly dark cabins many times on these US carriers.

 

[Princess Fiona]

What airlines allow blinds to be closed during takeoff and landing?

Any of the US ones.
Very common on all flights in the USA.