Is The Plane of the Future Really What Travelers Want?
Airbus has unveiled a concept for the "plane of the future." But is this razzle-dazzle aircraft really what travelers want, or are there more realistic goals to consider first?
Every year, Detroit car manufacturers dazzle us at the auto shows with their futuristic "concept" cars -- vehicles that are beyond state of the art and loaded with common sense and style. And then we never see them again, only to be offered the likes of a Taurus. (No disrespect, Ford!)
And now, it seems the airplane manufacturers are making their attempt at a concept vehicle.
The Aircraft of the Future
But wait, earlier this week Airbus revealed its concept plane...the aircraft of the future.
A week before the Paris Air Show, the French manufacturer released plans for the airplane of 2050. Is it in the design phase? Is a prototype being built? Not exactly.
The plane of 2050 is, in fact, simply the result of a survey of 10,000 people and their hopes for the kind of plane they really wanted. And how many of these folks were hardened business travelers? Not many. In fact, many of those surveyed with very young fliers who are trying to envision what air travel will be like 40 years from now.
It is certainly a dream plane with good intentions:
- It would be 100 percent recyclable.
- The exterior aerodynamic design is shaped like a soda bottle with wings to reduce drag.
- It would run on biofuel with rear-mounted engines to reduce onboard noise.
- Internal power on the plane -- for things like the onboard entertainment system -- would be powered by the body heat of passengers.
- The body would be totally transparent to give passengers a true bird's-eye view of their flying experience
- Seats that are specially contoured to fit individual body types.
- Instead of a class system, there would be different zones -- a vitalizing zone for relaxation, an interactive zone with gaming areas, and shopping, a bar and, well you get the picture.
- And in truly delusional style, the plane of tomorrow would have no airfares. Flying would be free, financed by an onboard casino and in-flight entertainment charges.
Historically, the only real concept planes were military. And in fact, airlines depended on the military to perform -- and to fund -- all the essential research and development.
The DC-3 was really the C-47 military transport. The Boeing 707 had its origins in the Air Force before it ever became a commercial passenger jet.
But these days, the only thing the military is building that comes close to concept (and is already in operation) are stealth versions of fighters and bombers, and don't think the airlines will be ordering any of those in the near or distant future.
Which brings us to the argument (of which I sadly concur) that we may not see a truly new commercial airplane in our lifetime -- just extended versions of existing fuselages and designs.
The Realist's Plane of the Future
Now, it's time to wake up from that dream. Let me tell you about my plane of the future:
It's no faster than today's aircraft and It flies no higher. It carries no more passengers than current airplanes. But it takes off on time and it lands on time. Flight attendants are pleasant. Passengers are polite. And the fare you pay includes your meals and your baggage.
Oh did I mention I rewound my magical time machine clock from 2050 to 1950? Perhaps it's time to go back to the future!
Related:
- Airline Survey: Customers Still Hate Extra Fees
- Never Stand in Line and Other Tips for Surviving Modern Air Travel
- The Airlines' Report Card: The Best and the Worst
