I think the airlines will find a way to turn these problems into advantages.
- Passengers won't have "normal" seats far from the plane's central axis. The distal axis seats will contain steward seating, bathrooms, additional storage, and maybe even a small lounge.
- Windows on planes are dirty and small. You're also dealing with more noise and vibration being closer to the frame and engines.
- I don't know enough about turbofans, where can I learn more about the bypass limitations?
The 1925 Ford Trimotor[1] had big beautiful picture frame windows. A silly comparison but if you've ever flown in one you'll know what I mean when I say they had a luxurious view of air travel.
I had the privilege to take a flight on one a few years ago; aside from the expected difference in engine noise (which was actually way more fun as an aviation buff) it was rather comfy for a seventy year old design. And yes, awesome views from the row behind the cockpit.
Windows have not been getting bigger as a rule. Boeing did make larger windows but Airbus didn’t. The A350 has small windows.
Window size is also not the main factor that matters. For instance I would take an A350 over an 787 any day (also because of the terrible tint windows) due to cabin layout and size.
Why not just more seats? If the cost of the flight is lower, people will buy it. They will, over and over. They kick and scream and say "this, this, THIS is the line I finally won't cross" and then they buy a cheap ticket.
I'm very much in this camp. Two weeks ago, my 6 member family took a flight on Frontier, one of the discount airlines, from Philadelphia to South Florida. The seats didn't even recline! But don't take that as a complaint, the fact that we paid $611.79 for 6 round trip tickets (and 2 checked bags) makes up for the slightly less comfortable trip and no pretzels.
Fares like that make flying possible for so many more people now. If we had to pay $200 or even $300/ticket (instead of $100) it would have made the trip unaffordable.
I'd actually pay a little more for seating that didn't recline (or rather, for the seat in front of me not to recline, but more than happy for that to be the case on all the seats). Genuinely would. Not a lot, but a little.
The line for me is United's "basic economy". I'm pretty sure I'd have difficulty fitting in the seat because they're so small; I'm skinny enough, but have long legs. There's a line between "nice-to-have"s (extra room, early boarding, etc.) and things that make passengers plain uncomfortable, and that's it. This is true for a good number of others I know, too.
- Passengers won't have "normal" seats far from the plane's central axis. The distal axis seats will contain steward seating, bathrooms, additional storage, and maybe even a small lounge.
- Windows on planes are dirty and small. You're also dealing with more noise and vibration being closer to the frame and engines.
- I don't know enough about turbofans, where can I learn more about the bypass limitations?