Imagine, while you’re flying in a stuffy plane, you have the chance to look up and experience something delightful. Like wispy clouds or twinkling stars.

Boeing, who are innovative in their own right, having designed the 747 jumbo jet and assisted in driving down the cost of air travel, now have their next focus on their planes’ interiors.

The idea is a system which allows the plane to project images onto the ceiling’s surface. The company is attempting to patent the idea, filing an application last week.

In it, it was stated:

Projection lighting is simply one of many technologies we are exploring to see if it can bring advances in both airline economics and passenger experience.

In theory, airlines could use lighting enhancements on the walls and bulkheads to display information about destinations or to project scenes that get passengers thinking about where they’re going.

Here’s a video for you to get a better idea:

But the projection lighting is a part of something bigger. Boeing is working on lighting in general, focusing on the mood it brings to a flight. Historically, cabins’ lighting is harsh, consisting of fluorescent lights and awful reading lights – and improving this is the next step into attracting buyers.

Some airlines are even preferring smaller planes, which are cheaper and easier to fly.

This is all because of historically low airfares amid higher competition from other airlines. Maybe they should just make the seating a bit better (bigger) – ha, good luck withthat.

[source: quartz]