How safe are plane windows?

Back in the early days of jet travel, there were some pretty bad episodes with windows but even then airplanes did not crash. Goglia says that cockpit windows in particular are very strong, designed to survive everything from bird strikes—as in Sully Sullenberger's “Miracle on the Hudson” flight—to hailstorms.



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It is multiple layers—it's not like an Oreo cookie with just three layers, it's got many more. Passenger windows are also sturdy with several layers for added protection and they are routinely polished to remove what's called “crazing,” fine web-like lines caused by exposure to the elements and to chemicals, such as ...

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However, a recent NTSB study concluded that glass-cockpit aircraft were no safer than conventional instrumented aircraft. Disadvantages of traditional analog instrumentation are the multitudes of mechanical components: gyroscopes, delicate flywheels, gimbals, seals and motors.

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Practically, you cannot break down the cockpit door. If you could, you'd have to worry about hijackers doing the same thing. So, to avoid a Germanwings situation you want an airlines whose general policies mirror FAA regulations.

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A bullet can cut through glass -- and airplanes. Watch enough movies and you'll eventually encounter one where terrorists or hijackers take over an airplane and start shooting up the place willy-nilly.

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Bullet proof windows would need to backed up by other armour as well. This would be very expensive and also make the vehicle heavier and so harder to handle in high speed pursuits. Armoring the doors of a police car would cost a lot of money. Not just to install them, but ongoing as the weight reduces fuel efficiency.

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Some aircraft damage from lightning strikes includes broken lighting and windows, deformed antenna placements, and onboard electronics malfunctions. Other abnormalities or warnings on the flight deck, such as cabin air pressurization problems or false alarms, can occur after your airplane has been struck by lightning.

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If an aircraft cockpit window were to break while the aircraft was at cruise altitude , you would experience rapid decompression which is extremely dangerous to all on board . The pilots would immediately put oxygen masks on for safety and the oxygen masks in the cabin would be deployed.

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No they are not, at least not fully. There have been instances of equipment failure caused by coffee spills, resulting in the need to abort the flight.

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You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule.

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