Airplanes are objectively claustrophobic. Small seats, crowded people, tiny windows. While the aviation industry can’t do anything about the seating, they’re currently working on their latest innovation – windowless planes.

These planes are not flat boxes, though. Created by Technion Design, they use large computer screens and video cameras to project a view of the outside into the plane. The screens take up the entire wall, giving you a full view of the land underneath you, whether it be the Himalayas or the Grand Canyon.

But what’s the reason for this? Well, aside from it being totally awesome, windows are heavy. They have to be, to be able to withstand the difference in pressure that comes from being in a pressurized plane in high altitude. Even if each window only weighs around 50 pounds, there’s a window by every seat. A standard Boeing 747 averages around 400 seats per plane, but each row only has one window, so that would be about 100 windows replaced. Removing windows saves aircraft fuel and maintenance cost, and provides an opportunity to enhance the interior beauty of the plane. In addition, the decreased weight allows manufacturers to make supersonic planes, allowing us to traverse the world faster than a speeding bullet.

With the extra money saved not buying fuel, having cameras and screens made for the planes will be easy. Plus, passengers will be able to pan around to see their entire surroundings, as well as use Wi-Fi and enjoy in-flight entertainment (which is redundant in the face of Wi-Fi) just like they are able to today. All in all, this should be an interesting development. I can’t wait to fly in one of these!