Every year, the public gets to see, either in person or online, the “new and improved” inventions that may or may not be coming down the pike for commercial aircraft. Aviation trade shows in the distant and not-so-distant past have introduced us to the concepts of stand-up/saddle style seating, double decker seats, seats for wheelchair users, and, of course, the latest and greatest in first class accommodations.
However these next-gen possibilities go way beyond seating. Lighter materials are always a popular topic, since the lighter a plane is, the less fuel it uses (here are a bunch of oddball ways airlines keep their planes as light as possible). It’s undoubtedly how/why Recaro developed those lightweight seats you see in select Frontier, Alaska, and, soon, Southwest planes (among countless others).
Making Windows Smarter and Lighter
But another thing that tends to weigh planes down is their windows. Of course, the strength of the window (which are not glass, of course) is of utmost importance. But if a company could make the windows lighter and still maintain their strength? And to post useful info on that window via holographs? You’d think that’d probably be a winner, right?
ZEISS Brings NASA Tech to the Cabin
German optical system company ZEISS is hoping their new touch-free holographic Multifunctional Smart Glass systems will be that winner. So much so that the new technology was on display a coupla weeks ago during the Aircraft Interiors Expo 2025 in Hamburg.
Zeiss has been supplying NASA with high-grade glass components for years. As examples, they’re currently used on the James Webb Space Telescope and lunar cameras for the Apollo astronauts. But now they’re looking towards commercial aviation.
From Popular Science:
To create transparent glass like an airplane window, ZEISS relies on a combination of micro-optical structures and holographic optical components, depending on the need. This may take the form of windows that display flight information, geographical orientation, and moving maps for commercial plane passengers. Smart glass panes–instead of opaque cabin section dividers–could also become interactive digital surfaces through the use of touchless holographic “buttons” that respond to motion using ultraviolet- and infrared-based sensors.
In practice, this means that with this new ZEISS glass, windows (instead of IFE) can tell passengers a whole host of information at a glance. And then, BONUS! – flight attendants wouldn’t have to lie to passengers anymore!
PC: ZEISS
From Passenger Perks to Pilot Precision
Of course, it wouldn’t just be information for passengers. The cockpit window could be another informational board, one designed for the flight crew, which would prevent them from having to continually switch between looking out the window and checking their instrument panel. And it could be invaluable as augmented reality when visibility is low due to fog, clouds, etc.
“The multiple detection systems help pilots, crew and (semi-)automated assistance systems monitor various tasks inside and outside the aircraft,” Zeiss explains on its website.
“Our vision is to make this technology accessible to all pilots from commercial pilots to private pilots,” said Dr. Dennis Lehr, a member of the ZEISS Microoptics management team. “We want to take the pressure off them and give them a safe flying experience in all visibility conditions – from take-off to landing.”
One more bonus: using their glass in place of heavy physical dividers and bulky display tools would also cut down on the plane’s overall weight.
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