Why Are Aeroplane Windows Round?

When you've been flying at some point in your life, you may have wondered why the fuck the windows are round. Generally, windows are square or rectangular, that's just the way it is. Look at houses, for example. Who has round windows? Apart from sea captains who are making a go of it on dry land.

Anyway, that's not the point. Why are plane windows different?

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Well, it turns out that back in the 50s, jetliners started to become very popular. However in 1953, two planes fell apart whilst in flight. 56 people sadly lost their lives.

Guess what, it was because of the windows.

You may have already figured out that when there's a corner, there is a weak spot. But circular shapes don't have that problem.

So there you go, four corners increases the chance of cracking due to air pressure. By being circular, this stress is distributed and therefore the likelihood of it cracking is reduced.

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Real Engineering explains further in this handy video.

Topics: interesting facts, Aeroplane

Mel Ramsay

Mel Ramsay has been a Senior Journalist for Tyla and LADbible since 2015. She started her career writing obituaries and funeral guides online. Since then, her work has been published in a wide variety of national and local news sites. She is part of the BBC's Generation project and has spoken about young people, politics and mental health on television, radio and online. Contact her - [email protected]

@melramsay_