Leading aircraft manufacturer Airbus has unveiled its vision of how air travel will look – and feel – in the future; the year 2050 to be precise. The ‘Concept Cabin’ promises a whole new flying experience and jet setters of the future will be able to join an interactive conference, a game of virtual golf and recharge in ‘vitalising seats’ whilst watching the earth from 30,000 ft.
Inspired by nature, the Airbus Concept Plane features a ‘bionic’ design and technologies to help reduce the amount of fuel burnt, emissions, waste and noise. This is achieved through mimicking the efficiency of bird bone, which is optimised to provide strength where needed and allows for the inclusion of a cabin wall membrane which controls air temperature and can become transparent to provide passengers with magnificent panoramic views.
Also integrated into the Concept Cabin is a ‘neural network’ which creates an intelligent interface between passenger and plane, allowing for an integrated entertainment and tailor-made comfort. This will take the form of personalised zones that will provide a range of services from aromatherapy and acupressure treatments to pop-up projections in an ‘interactive zone’ which will allow passengers to indulge in anything from holographic gaming to virtual shopping – all with the aim of providing passengers with a complete luxury service as if they were on the ground.
Showcasing the innovative interior design, Charles Champion, Airbus Executive Vice President Engineering, said: “Our research shows that passengers of 2050 will expect a seamless travel experience while also caring for the environment. The Airbus Concept Cabin is designed with that in mind, and shows that the journey can be as much a voyage of discovery as the destination. Whichever flight experience is chosen, the passenger of 2050 will step out of the Airbus Concept Cabin feeling revitalised and enriched.”
More than 90 percent of Airbus’ annual research & development investment of over €2 billion has environmental benefits for current and future aircraft. For example, due to advances in technologies the concept cabin will be 100% recyclable. It will have self-cleaning materials made from sustainable plant fibres which reduce waste and maintenance and will harvest passenger body heat to power cabin features.
Such technologies are already being developed and, while they may not be seen in the exact same manner as in the Airbus Concept Plane and Cabin, some of them could feature in future Airbus aircraft programmes.
