Airbus Planning Transparent Planes 488
goG writes "European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has come up with the idea to build a passenger flight with a completely transparent fuselage. The central body of the aircraft will allow passengers to the see the stars above and city lights below. 'The planes of the future will offer an unparalleled, unobstructed view of the wonders of the five continents — where you will be able see the pyramids or the Eiffel Tower through the transparent floor of the aircraft,' Airbus said while unveiling the concept 'The Future By Airbus' earlier this year."
Transparent luggage? (Score:2, Funny)
I hope... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Invisible jet? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:it would be awesome, but impossible (Score:3, Funny)
Yeah, there might be other passengers, but at least everyone else could enjoy it when a couple joins the mile high club.
Re:Cue the transparent aluminum jokes (Score:3, Funny)
Now that airlines are forcing larger passengers to buy double seats, all I can say is:
"There be whales here!"
Re:An interesting idea (Score:3, Funny)
Oh and did i mention that the flight attendants are all male?
Awesome (Score:2, Funny)
Obligatory (Score:1, Funny)
Family Guy invisible plane skit [youtube.com]
Re:Transparent luggage? (Score:3, Funny)
You fool! We are the baggage! The luggage will be in the passenger compartment. Now down you go!
Re:it would be awesome, but impossible (Score:3, Funny)
Given the size of an average American, do you really want to see any of that?
Re:Or what will actually happen. (Score:1, Funny)
Think about it - there'll be no need when the plane crashes for the pilot to actually announce the fact. The passengers can see the ground rapidly approaching them! It'll save precious seconds so passengers can prepare themselves.
Or see the nose of the plane that's about to ram into them. Or see the mountain that the pilots are failing to see. Or the water that's rapidly approaching.
Or the hijacker can quickly verify that you are definitely heading the way they want to go, instead of believing the pilot.
Oh yeah, and if bits and pieces are coming off the plane, the passengers can helpfully advise the flight crew that the wing or tail seem to be missing. An engine fire will light up the cabin in a nice old-timey camping way.
"negating the need for windows" (Score:1, Funny)
FTA: "...additional functionality that provides transparency on command, negating the need for windows."
Oh, thank fuck. Does that mean I can finally ditch the last vestiges of it living in wine and a sometimes-booted VirtualBox installation?
Underpants salesman (Score:5, Funny)
Sell underpants to passengers who freak out when they can see the ground 30,000 feet directly below them.
Re:OMG YES! (Score:5, Funny)
"see the pyramids or the Eiffel Tower through the transparent floor of the aircraft"
Vomit is transparent?
Re:This would scare the hell out of me (Score:5, Funny)
General Products (Score:5, Funny)
Re:This would scare the hell out of me (Score:5, Funny)
the idea of experiencing a steep banking turn with a transparent fuselage makes fairly nauseous.
Don't worry it sounds like it's a self correcting problem...
European Heaven and Hell (Score:5, Funny)
Airbus engineers once again prove the old adage about European heaven and hell.
In European heaven, the British are the police, the French are the cooks, the Germans are the engineers, the Italians are the lovers and the Swiss run the government.
In European hell, the British are the cooks, the French are the engineers, the Germans are the police, the Italians run the government, and the Swiss are the lovers.
Re:This would scare the hell out of me (Score:5, Funny)
I have a fear of falling (and the more likely to my brain falling is the more the fear kicks in), glass or transparent anything that I'd stand, sit, or other hope to hell is going to support me would give me a full blown panic attack...
Truth be told, it scares us too. The main reason we're developing these airplanes is for the youtube videos of people falling asleep on the planes, waking up, looking at the floor, and freaking out.
sincerely,
Airbus
Re:This would scare the hell out of me (Score:4, Funny)
Airbus may be able to make a plane like this. I doubt that they'll sell many to commercial airlines, due to liability concerns over people with acrophobia. There may be a niche market for sightseeing etc...
I don't know. It might be great for in-flight sales of alcohol and valium like drugs.
Re:OMG YES! (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Right... (Score:3, Funny)
That's all right. If they confront me about it, I'll just yell "boo" and we won't see them again for a century...
good for competition (Score:5, Funny)
In a joint statement, the chief executives of British Rail, Société Nationale des Chemins de Français, Deutsche Bahn, Österreichische Bundesbahnen, Ferrovie dello Stato, Nederlandse Spoorwegen, Schweizerische Bundesbahnen, Renfe Operadora, Norges Statsbaner, and several other European rail companies applauded the idea, saying it would help to increase competition in the market for European travel.
Re:I for one (Score:3, Funny)
Welcome on board Budget Air's glass glider. As is always the case on Budget Air, bathroom use is completely complimentary. Curtains may be purchased from any flight attendant.
That gives me e great idea (Score:3, Funny)