"Rob Mohr" wrote in message
om...
Why even bother to have windows in a commercial jet?

A Boeing press release makes note of the larger than usual windowns
for their new 7E7 jet. Late model jets are full of video screens at
each seat. Why not use snythetic views of the outside? The view from
a window is limited. With video, all interested passengers could see
outside the aircraft.

The 747SP I flew to Japan did that pretty much. There screen a the front
of the cabin gave a "virtual" forward view through the takeoff and then
switched
to a downward view during the climbout (of course it went off as soon as the
"entertainment" started).

Frankly, inflight entertainment to me is a view out the window and ATC on
the
headphones.