Why Older Boeing Planes Had Eyebrow Windows (but Newer Ones Don't)

If you've ever looked intimately astatine photos of early Boeing jets (including one that's been flying for 46 years), you might've noticed a group of small, slanted panes supra nan cockpit, nicknamed "eyebrow windows." These panels on the 707, 727, aliases nan first generations of 737s weren't ornamental quirks aliases designer flair. They existed for a applicable reason: visibility.

Before precocious radar, GPS, and computer-assisted formation decks, aviators relied heavy connected what they could see. Pilots relied connected nan other windows for amended visibility during turns, approaches, and ocular navigation, particularly earlier nan days of blase avionics. With these angled skylights, crews could spot different aircraft, aliases support ocular interaction pinch nan runway during crisp banking maneuvers. These windows helped spot stars for celestial navigation astatine night, too.

In nan 1960s and '70s, cockpits were much analog than automated. Flight decks could consciousness for illustration claustrophobic solid bubbles crammed pinch gauges. Those eyebrow windows helped pilots spot nan world beyond nan dials — virtually a mini portion of entity erstwhile visibility mattered most. Seasoned pilots swore by them, saying nan other sightlines made definite approaches smoother and little stressful. 

But arsenic exertion kept moving forward, and automated formation systems became nan norm, those aforesaid small windows began to look little for illustration a necessity and much for illustration an aged wont that refused to die.

In 2005, Boeing eliminated eyebrow windows from its accumulation line, retiring them from nan 737 Next Generation and later models. It wasn't a sentimental determination — it was practical. Every model adds structural complexity, imaginable for leaks, and aerodynamic drag, nevertheless small. For modern airlines obsessed pinch substance efficiency, that other attraction costs simply wasn't worthy it.

Modern avionics had already rendered them obsolete. Global positioning systems, radar, and automated formation systems meant pilots nary longer needed to crane their necks to cheque nan sky aliases way stars crossed nan canopy. What erstwhile saved lives now conscionable fto successful much sun for illustration a sunroof — and not successful a bully way. Pilots complained astir glare beaming straight connected them and their formation instruments, often taping complete nan solid aliases shading it pinch charts.

Removing nan windows besides streamlined production, lowered airplane weight by 20 pounds and lessened airplane inspection time. It improved cockpit somesthesia power and reduced cockpit sound coming connected early 737s. A triumph for America's apical airplane manufacturer, a motion for pilots, and a quiet goodbye to 1 of nan past vestiges of nan pitchy age's early years. Today's 737s are sleeker, quieter, and acold much businesslike — but they've mislaid that subtle human-like face. Those "eyebrows" erstwhile made planes look alive, moreover curious. Now, they're conscionable different nostalgic footnote successful aviation's relentless pursuit of optimization.