By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Reading: Mayday over Warsaw due to Window fire? How EDW works.
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Font ResizerAa
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Signin Sign In
Follow US
Copyright © Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2025 | All Rights Reserved
Travel Radar - Aviation News > News > Mayday over Warsaw due to Window fire? How EDW works.

Mayday over Warsaw due to Window fire? How EDW works.

Leo Cheung
Last updated: 11 January 2022 12:12
By Leo Cheung 5 Min Read
Share
The Boeing 737-MAX was set to replace the ageing 737-400 types | (c) Marchin Karch
SHARE

A Mayday call was transmitted in Warsaw airspace concerning a suspected inflight fire caused by an unlikely cabin component last week. On Friday the 7th, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operated by LOT Polish airlines conducting a flight from Seoul to Warsaw declared a Mayday call when the passengers reported a burning odour in the cabin. The aircraft landed safely and the fire brigade was requested to standby upon arrival. It was reported that the source of burning was an Electronically Dimmable Window (EDW).

informative
The window showed what appears to be a burn mark | © The Aviation Herald

On 7th January 2022, a Boeing 787-8 which happened to be the first Dreamliner delivered to LOT Polish Airlines declared a Mayday call during its descent into Warsaw Chopin Airport after their passengers reported a burning odour in the cabin. The aircraft delivered back in 2012 with the registration SP-LRA was carrying around 180 passengers at the time of the accident. Emergency services on standby were requested by the flight crew and the passengers disembarked the aircraft with stairs provided by the airport.

decorative
The EDW on the LOT Polish Airlines | © LOT Polish Airlines

Electronic Window Fire or is it?

Photos showing a smouldered window pane on the Dreamliner were shared on aviation forums and the speculation of the electronically operated dimmable window was speculated to be the source of the odour. However, according to a statement issued by LOT Polish Airlines to The Aviation Herald, the window shown on the photos was labelled inoperative and was disconnected from the electrical supply awaiting a replacement upon the aircraft’s arrival in Warsaw. The statement denies the allegation that the EDW was the source of the odour and claims that the In-flight Entertainment (IFE) system be the most likely source of the acrid smell. The aircraft returned to service 22 hours after landing.

functional
The EDW replaces the inner pane with an electrochromic layer of gel sealed between acrylic panes | © PPG Aerospace

Electronically Dimmable Window (EDW)

One of the most interesting features of the Boeing 787 that could be spotted by the passengers is their blind-less cabin windows. The EDW measures 18.4 x 10.7 inches (46cm x 27cm in metric) and is the largest window in modern-day passenger jets. Traditional aircraft windows are usually made up of a minimum of 3 layers: the outer pane installed with the exterior fuselage; the inner pane has a little hole that equalizes air pressure and the protective scratch pane where you can smudge your fingerprints all over it.

The EDW, however, is structured rather differently as it has no window shade and instead, it replaces the inner pane with an electrochromic panel that contains a gel as a medium. The gel that is chemically reactive to DC voltage becomes opaque when electricity is applied and once the voltage is removed, the gel returns to its transparent state. Passengers can adjust the opacity of the window by pressing buttons that apply a precise level of electricity for a progressive increment of opacity.

This system is also an interconnected network and the crew can control the opacity of the windows via a master switch, allowing the crew to ensure the windows are fully transparent during takeoff and landings, hence saving the efforts of flight attendants to walk through the aisle to ask every passenger to open the window blind. In its natural state, the gel is clear and transparent, this allows the windows to be clear in case of an electrical failure, or when the aircraft is parked and taxiing to reduce electrical load.

Contrary to the speculated cause of the odour, LOT Polish Airlines stated that the window was inoperative and is awaiting maintenance attendance. It does not explain the seemingly smouldered windowpane as it was said to be disconnected. Would these sort of additional peripheral devices be a latent source of threat to flying? Let us know your opinion below.

For more analysis from the Travel Radar team, click here.

You Might Also Like

In-Flight Gambling: A Multi-Billion-Dollar Opportunity Grounded by History and Law

Moving Abroad: How to Choose the Right Country for Your Next Adventure

RwandAir Expands Fleet, Welcomes Two New Boeing 737-800s

Delta Agrees to Pay $78.75 million Settlement for Fuel Dump Lawsuit

airBaltic Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link
What’s your thoughts?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Angry0
Leo Cheung
By Leo Cheung
Follow:
Aviation Reporter - Born and raised in Hong Kong, Leo has decided to pursue a career in aviation under the influence of the old Kai Tak Airport back in the days. With a degree in aviation, he has joint Travel Radar as an aviation reporter to diversify his views and apply professional knowledge to anyone who is interested in commercial aviation. He regularly contributes articles with 'inside the cockpit' knowledge.
Previous Article 4 International Airports Minutes From The Beach
Next Article Delhi Airport Mandatory Home Quarantine For All Foreign Visitors in India
Leave a comment
Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Upvoted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe

Trending News

Qantas A321XLR
Qantas Orders 20 New A321XLR Aircraft
Aircraft Airlines Aviation Manufacturing Route Development
Federal Aviation Authority with University of Dayton researched the EMAS a safety feature
Philadelphia International Airport Installs new Safety Feature on Runway to Stop Overrun Aircraft
Aviation Travel Radar
JetBlue aircraft
JetBlue and Condor Expand Partnership to Boost Loyalty Benefits
Airlines Points & Loyalty Travel
Cochin International Airport Terminal
Kerala Aviation Summit 2025: Focus on Infrastructure and Flight Connectivity
Airports Airshow & Events Aviation
Finnair Airbus A330-300 on the runway at Heathrow airport
Finnair Launches New Mediterranean Routes
Airlines Aviation Route Development Travel
//

Travel Radar is the leading digital hub for all things aviation and air-travel. Discover our latest aviation news, aviation data, insight and analysis.

Discover

  • Latest News
  • Subscribe
  • Weekly Digest
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Media Coverage
  • Press & Events
  • Join Our Team
  • Our Brands

Signup to our Newsletter!

And get the latest aviation news via our weekly news digest!

© Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2015-2025 | ISSN #2635-0696 | Trademark #UK00003579704
wpDiscuz
adbanner
AdBlock Detected
Ads help us bring you high-quality, independent journalism for free. Support us by whitelisting us from your ad blocker.
Okay, I'll Whitelist
Welcome to the TR Community!

Sign in to your account

Register Lost your password?