Why do airplanes have oval windows

Sharp corners are natural weak spots where stress concentrates, weakened further by air pressure. When subjected to repeated pressurization, four corners on a square window spell disaster. Curved windowpanes, on the other hand, which have no focal point, distribute that stress, reducing the likelihood of cracks or breaks. Circular shapes are also stronger and resist deformation, and can thus survive the extreme differences in pressure between the inside and outside of the aircraft.

The same principle applies to cargo and cabin doors, and of course circular windows are also in evidence on ships and spacecraft because of their greater structural integrity. You might also be wondering about the 'breather hole' that appears in all aeroplane windows. Again, it's to do with managing the pressure and the tension that builds up between the internal and external pressure. As Robbie Gonzales at io9 explains , each window is actually made up of three layers, and the hole allows the air pressure between the outer and middle panes to equilibrate.

As a result, cabin pressure is only applied to the outer pane, with the middle pane preserved for emergencies. So there you have it - and if you're stuck for small talk the next time you're sat next to a stranger on a flight, you can wow them with some informed engineering knowledge.

YouTube channel Real Engineering explains more about the rejection of square windows in planes in the video below:. De Havilland resumes Dash 8 completions after a three-month strike, but is still not guaranteeing future production of t Vietnam plans to gradually reopen international borders and resume international flights by January Boeing says the Asia-Pacific aviation market will require 17, new aircraft by Why airplane windows are round?

Circular airplane windows are actually a major safety innovation that keeps planes from disintegrating mid-flight! AeroTime Extra. Aviation Explained. Why Airplane Windows Are Round? Share this news. YouTube channel Real Engineering explains more about the rejection of square windows in planes in the video below: Source Have something to add to this story?

Share it in the comments! This great AeroTime author has not written anything about himself yet. Delta expands transatlantic flight schedule with a focus on Europe Delta Air Lines expands its transatlantic flight schedule for