You would be forgiven for thinking there could be no least favourite thing on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Many lavish praise on the aircraft for all the wonderful things it has. Larger windows, fuel efficient design, all electric architecture, a lower cabin altitude and a heads up display for the pilots.
For years it was trumpeted as the aircraft that could do everything but read. However, there is an insidious feature of the Boeing 787, one people expect to love which actually the worst and a complete and utter annoyance.
A Little About Those Windows
On the surface, it seems the windows should be a passenger pleasing feature. They are the largest on any aircraft and they go from transparent to opaque electrically meaning no more blinds. Perfect!
My Least Favourite Things About The Windows
There are two terrible things about the windows. First, I find they are too high. It’s nice to look at the sky, but really a person would rather see what is going on below. Perhaps it is because I am not tall, but I find them positioned badly for me. Second, this happens.
Overall Thoughts
Don’t get me wrong, I love the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and all its technical brilliance. It provides a good ride, is efficient and advanced but the windows have let it down on each flight I have been on.
This means that despite my wanting to love the aircraft, I’m not really all that fussed and prefer the Airbus A350 with its normal windows. To me, it’s just a much better experience all round.
What do you think? Are the windows your least favourite thing too or do you love them? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
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Featured image by Alan Wilson via Wikimedia Commons
I saw on another site that someone mentioned that if you see the crew dimming all of the shades and before they are finished, you take control of yours and brighten it, that you keep control of the shade. I have never tried that, I just wanted to pass along that someone said that works.
Oh, I will have to give that a go next time I find myself on the Boeing 787. Thanks for the tip – if it works, I’ll definitely be writing about it!!
I actually LOVE them for the most part, because on daytime flights I can still go between my screen and looking outside without my eyes having to adjust by keeping it just dimmed a bit. However, did have one time that they kept the windows locked and all completely dimmed for take off. It WAS a nighttime flight but still I like to look out at the lights and see them get smaller. But not being able to see anything at all during take off was a bit unsettling.
They’re usually supposed to be clear for take-off and landing so you can see outside properly in case anything happens. Nice that you like them though! 🙂
The positive thing about the dimmed windows is that it still offers a view outside for those who like to take in the view. Yes, it’s not as good as a non-dimmed window, but on a plane filled with 200+ people, it’s impossible to please everyone. Therefore, this is a good alternative.
You can’t really see all that well through it and it’s just not the same as a clear window as you mentioned. I can see your point though!
Crew override sucks, nothing worse than boarding a 10am flight and night time mode enforced on all.
It happens almost every time I’m on a day flight on the 787. It’s just tiresome all round to sit in the dark for no apparent reason.
I find the 3-3-3 layout in Economy much more annoying
Good point! The only airline that still has the 2-4-2 eight abreast layout in economy class as originally intended is Japan Airlines.