Why the Airbus A330 cockpit has windows that can be opened
- The cockpit windows of most commercial planes can be opened
- This unusual function is actually crucial for safety reasons
- Cockpit windows are used for a variety of tasks, from emergency evacuations to simply shouting orders to someone on the ground
Published on Jul 18, 2024 at 4:53 PM (UTC+4)
by Andie Reeves
Last updated on Jul 18, 2024 at 6:32 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
It might surprise you to learn that the pilots of an Airbus A330 can open the windows of the cockpit.
If the thought of cracking the pilot’s window at 30,000 feet seems strange to you, you’re not alone.
However, these windows are designed for specific purposes and are only used under certain circumstances.
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The real reason you can open the windows on an Airbus A330
You might think that it would be best to just keep the windows on a passenger jet closed permanently, but cockpit windows have very practical purposes, mainly for when the plane is on the ground.
And it’s not just the Airbus A330: most commercial airliners will have at least one cockpit window that can be opened.
One reason for this is really simple – sometimes, the easiest form of communication is shouting out your window.
Before advanced communication systems were in place, pilots would deliver orders and chat to crew from the windows while parked.
Another use for these windows is as an alternative exit in case of emergency.
One lucky passenger even had their phone passed to them from the ground via the pilot on a 2022 Southwest Airlines flight.
Thankfully, cockpit windows have a mechanism that makes them impossible to open while the plane is pressurized.
The secret life of pilots
Functioning windows aren’t the only hidden gems commercial pilots have kept from us.
Recently one Airbus pilot shared the secret side of planes that passengers don’t get to see.
There are comfy beds, trapdoors beneath the cockpit, secret cabins, and more, all concealed from view.
These features are especially valuable during long-haul flights, which can span an entire day.
While not hotel room-level roomy, they make sure crew members are comfier than the passengers below, trying to sleep in their seats.
And then there’s the inside of an Airbus’ cockpit, which looks like a futuristic spaceship.
Considering the unbelievably intense training these pilots have to go through, it seems only fair they have some special treats just for them.
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Andie is a content writer from South Africa with a background in broadcasting and journalism. Starting her career in the glossy pages of Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire, Andie has a broad portfolio, covering everything from sustainability solutions to celebrity car collections. When not at her laptop Andie can be found sewing, recording her podcast, taking board games too seriously or road-tripping in her bright green Kia.
