How windowless planes could be the future of cheap air travel

Windowless planes could be the future of cheaper air travel as a government technology centre develops a proposal to help airlines save on fuel.

In place of windows, plastic display screens projecting the sky outside could line the cabin of an aircraft.

^{Exterior of windowless plane (Technicon)}

It is hoped the technology will significantly reduce aircraft weight and cut fuel costs without worrying nervous passengers.

The display screens will function using a technique called printable electronics, which involves the use of conductive inks to carry electric current in cardboard and plastic for just a few pence per unit.

The technology could be rolled out in other key industries. For example, in pharmacuticals, so-called 'smart packaging' could be used to remind a patient to take their medication.

However, developers at the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) in Sedgefield, which is one of the government's network of technology centres known as Catapults, are particularly excited by the benefits printable electronics offer to aviation.

Tom Taylor, who is part of the management team at CPI in County Durham, told The Financial Times: "Getting weight out of a plane is a key [goal] for the industry.

"You could see the first of these coming to market in three to four years."

US company Spike Aerospace has announced plans to have a windowless cabin on board its Spike S-512 Supersonic Jet, which is due to launch in 2018.

President Vik Kachoria believes the technology would win over passengers, saying they would experience "a wonderful panoramic view of the outside world".

The company still plans to have several windows for emergency purposes, however.