B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 126; Flight Crew Total 15000; Flight Crew Type 1572
Distraction; Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Aircraft
Just after top of climb upon reaching our [cruise] altitude of FL370 I heard a loud bang and a flash. When I looked up my forward window was completely shattered. We ran the QRH; called Dispatch and [Maintenance]. We decided our best option was to turn around and head back to ZZZ. After running the QRH; I handed the aircraft to my First Officer and had him fly the remainder of the flight due to my limited visibility. We notified ATC and [advised them] and told the controllers we wanted to turn back to ZZZ; slow down and descend to 10;000 in case of loss of pressurization. I believe we were still with Center.I briefed the flight attendants we had a mechanical situation and to prepare the cabin for landing and they had 25 minutes to touchdown and it would be a normal landing and we would be returning to a gate. I briefed the passengers and asked for [their patience] and cooperation to get the cabin ready. When ATC handed [us] off [to] Approach we told them we need XXL for landing; since our gate was located on the north side of the airport. I did not want to taxi across the airport with limited visibility.Despite [being] an emergency aircraft Approach was NOT helpful. They wanted us to land on Runway XY; which we replied that was not an option. They want to know why [we] couldn't accept XY and we told them operational. We landed on XXL; taxied to the gate without any further problems. The flight attendants did a great job.
Captain's windshield cracked.
B737 flight crew reported the Captain's side windshield cracked in flight.