Choosing your seat on an airplane is a big deal. Most of us are ready to pay more for the window seat as you get to see all sorts of landscapes.
How about a roof seat for a panoramic 360-degree view of the surroundings?
Aerospace engineering company Windspeed Technologies has designed a SkyDeck, which is a transparent bubble-shaped canopy on the top of the plane.
Windspeed Technologies recently secured a patent for the SkyDeck design that has two seats and an elevator inside the airplane to access the glass capsule. These seats can be rotated to provide 360-degree views around the plane.
The canopy will be made of high strength glass and coated with an anti-condensation film for an unobstructed view at any time. The glass can withstand a bird strike, high noise levels, and will also have UV protection.
Windspeed Technologies thinks that if the SkyDeck is accepted by airlines in spite of its significant installation costs, it could provide a new source of revenue for the airline industry. Airlines can charge passengers on a pay-per-view basis.
