Airbus flies into the future with see-through aircraft walls
Air passengers will get a glimpse into the future of flight as aircraft manufacturer Airbus unveils its Concept Plane at the Farnborough International Airshow this week.
Ultra long and slim wings, semi-embedded engines, a U-shaped tail and lightweight ‘intelligent’ body all feature to further improve environmental performance or ‘eco-efficiency’.
Charles Champion, executive vice president engineering at Airbus, says, “The Airbus Concept Plane represents an engineer’s dream about what an aircraft could look like in the long term future.
“It’s not a real aircraft and all the technologies it features, though feasible, are not likely to come together in the same manner. Here we are stretching our imagination and thinking beyond our usual boundaries.
“With the Airbus Concept Plane we want to stimulate young people from all over the world to engage with us so that we can continue to share the benefits of air transport while also looking after the environment.â€
In ‘The Future by Airbus’ the company talks of morphing seats made from ecological, self-cleaning materials, which change shape for a snug fit; walls that become see-through at the touch of a button, affording 360 degree views of the world below; and holographic projections of virtual decors, allowing travellers to transform their private cabin into an office, bedroom or Zen garden.
Some of these aircraft may even fly in formation like birds to reduce drag, fuel burn and therefore emissions.
Friday is Futures Day at the airshow when registration opens for Airbus’ ‘Fly Your Ideas’ – a global competition challenging university students to develop new ideas for a greener aviation industry.
The winners will share the top prize of € 30,000; the runners-up €15,000.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps