With its see-through aircraft cabin, passengers of the future will get a window on the world as they fly through the sky.
For this plane with its 'intelligent' cabin wall membrane and interactive games, may be everyday air transport in 2050.
The futuristic concept for travel in 40 years' time was yesterday unveiled in London by Airbus - and it'll terrify those who already have a fear of flying.
First, business and economy cabins are replaced by zones for relaxation in the front, work in the back, and a fully-stocked bar for socialising.
Passengers will be able to see everything to the sides and in front of them. So blindfolds might be handy come take-off and landing time.
The aircraft's walls change according to light conditions. There are holographic pop-up gaming displays and in-flight entertainment powered by the heat of passengers' bodies.
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| Window on the world: Gone are the small aircraft windows in the 'vitalising zone' which provides a panoramic view for passengers |
The technology could mean travellers might even be able to read bedtime stories to their children back home.
Most of the basic technology such as moulding seats and 'head-up displays' already exist, but how Airbus plan to make the plant-based, transparent 'skin' of the plane remains a mystery.
The concept cabin would be a bionic structure that 'mimics' the efficiency of bird bone, claims Airbus.
It would provide strength where needed, and also allows for an 'intelligent' cabin wall membrane which controls air temperature and can become transparent to give passengers open, panoramic views.
Airbus believes that mid-century passengers might be able to enjoy a game of virtual golf or take part in interactive conferences, while the cabin 'identifies and responds' to travellers' needs.
The cabin of the future follows last year's unveiling of the Airbus concept plane, packed with technologies to reduce fuel burn, emissions, waste and noise.
In the cabin concept, the 'vitalising zone' helps passengers relax, with vitamin and antioxidant-enriched air, mood lighting, aromatherapy and acupressure treatments.
In the 'interactive zone' there are virtual pop-up projections taking passengers to whichever social scene they want to be in, from holographic gaming to virtual changing rooms for active shoppers.
The 'smart tech zone' is tailored towards the more functional-orientated passenger with what Airbus describes as 'a chameleon-style offering.'
It aims to meet individual needs ranging from a simple to a complete luxury service, but all allowing you to continue life as if on the ground'.
Airbus engineering executive vice-president Charles Champion said: 'Our research shows that passengers of 2050 will expect a seamless travel experience while also caring for the environment.
'The concept cabin is designed with that in mind, and shows that the journey can be as much a voyage of discovery as the destination.'
© Daily Mail, London
Boeing's new jumbo takes on Airbus
LONDON, Graphic News: Boeing is to debut its new 747-8 Intercontinental at the Paris Air show on Sunday. The passenger version, which took to the skies for the first time in March this year, will fly on Sunday and will be on static display until Monday evening.
U.S. aerospace giant Boeing's new 747-8 family of planes is set to go head-to-head with the Airbus A380 to battle the top spot from its European rival.
The fifth generation version of Boeing's iconic jumbo jet has initial deliveries set for late this year. The Seattle-based plane maker has 108 orders for the 747-8, with 76 of those orders being for the freighter version of the aircraft.
Airbus put the cargo version of the A380 superjumbo on hold after FedEx and UPS cancelled the double-decker design. However, as the global economy starts to recover, more goods are being shipped around the world. A third of world trade by value is in goods sent by air, according to the International Air Transport Association.
The 747-8 -- the biggest plane Boeing has ever built -- uses redesigned wings and new engines based on the 787 Dreamliner GEnx advanced turbofan engines, making the 747-8 noticeably quieter, more fuel efficient, and with lower emissions than current 747-400 models. It also uses the same Dreamliner cockpit technology.
The 747-8 freighter and the 747-8I (Intercontinental) passenger jets are smaller than the Airbus A380, which Boeing says is an advantage. It says its planes will cost less to operate and will be able to serve more markets.
Compared with the 747-400, the 747-8 will have a 4.1 metre "stretch" in the forward sections, and a 1.5 metre "stretch" in the mid-section, increasing cargo capacity by seven pallets and seating capacity for the passenger model by 51 extra seats. It will carry up to 467 people in three classes, with a range of 14,815km (8,000 nautical miles). The A-380 has a range of 15,200km and can carry 555 passengers on two decks.
The 747-8I is more than 10 percent lighter per seat than the A380 and will consume 11 percent less fuel per passenger than its rival -- a trip-cost reduction of 21 percent compared to the A380.
Airbus disputes Boeing's claims. The European plane maker says the A380 burns two percent less fuel per seat than the 747-8I.
Window-seat passengers will have an eight percent larger view than those on the current 747-400s, and cabins will feature new solid-state light-emitting diode (LED) lighting which can create mood-illumination. LED technology also offers improved reliability and lower maintenance costs.
Boeing also hopes to beat Airbus on price, with the Intercontinental costing $293-308 million and the freighter $301.5-304.5 million. The list price of the slow-selling A380 is currently $337 million, but most customers buy at a big discount to Airbus's official list prices. |
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