So I have no knowledge on the XLR at all so I’m just speaking in general based on what I do know….

Aircraft are certified with everything in place and if there was ANY reason that Airbus gave for the black borders around the FD windows then they become mandatory at that time and cannot be modified unless re certified.

example: 787 wings have the paint falling off the tops of them exposing the composit below and look like complete garbage.

there is a fix for this….paint the wing black before the white top coat. The black absorbs the UV rays and prevents the composite from getting damaged and then the paint delaminating.

so easy fix right? Boeing will just paint the wings black on the delivery paint job! Nope unfortunately that’s not how the 787 was certified so Boeing is not allowed to paint the wing black unless they re-certify it.

So now airlines have to take delivery of brand new aircraft that they know will need their wings repainted within 5 years so they aren’t covered with speed tape.

however, there is nothing that prevents the airlines from painting the wing black per there paint job specs and the black wing is now TSOd so the airlines can do it themselves AFTER delivery.

so all this is to say the dark rimmed window outlines may be there for a reason in the XLR but not the NEO