Spike Aereospace S-512

Spike Aereospace S-512

We have seen the future of flight — and it does not include windows. The latest idea for a supersonic business jet from Spike Aerospace involves replacing cabin portholes with windowless display screens showing a fake view. Claustrophobes, take note. “Cameras surrounding the entire aircraft will construct breathtaking panoramic views displayed on the cabin screens,” Vik Kachoria, president of the Boston-based company, wrote in a blog post. Passengers would be able to change the image or dim the screen to sleep — assuming the gizmo always works. As the company points out, getting rid of windows solves a pesky design problem of supersonic flight: Windows slow things down and add to the weight of the plane. For a jet meant to cut flight time in half, “The very smooth exterior skin will reduce the drag normally caused by having windows,” Kachoria noted.

Get Briefed Every Day!

Subscribe to my daily newsletter featuring current events and the top stories in technology, media, and marketing.

Subscribe