FUTUR E V I SION
most fundamental changes in global socioeconomic
trends, evolving consumer demand and technological
advancements.
Looking ahead, a range of factors suggests that in the
is the rapid increase in public and
private investment in new
supersonic technologies, spurred on
and create a future where flying at supersonic speeds
may become the norm.
We will also begin to see products and
services in the aviation sector that minimise
environmental impact, harnessing biofuel,
electric and solar energy, as well as new
engine designs. In the more immediate
future, such changes are likely to be driven
by the electrification of aircraft for short
haul. Looking further ahead, the role of solar
power also presents exciting possibilities,
although it is likely that the more environmentally
friendly aircraft of the future will result in longer
flight times; possibly even longer than the average
flight time today.
50 YEARS AND BEYOND
By 2069, demands for faster air travel will have transformed
all parts of a passenger’s journey, with the end-to-end travel
experience much more streamlined. A typical passenger
journey will involve an individual travelling to the airfield
via a Hyperloop transit system (which will be present in
most major cities). Upon reaching the airfield, the
passenger’s compartment will enter a lift system, travelling
through a tunnel with sensors that determine the safety
and security status of each passenger, as
well as any and all personalisation
requirements.
The seating system from the
Hyperloop will then slot neatly
into an assigned space on board
the aircraft, completing a
rapid and seamless journey.
Their onward journey
will also be fast, with
intercontinental aircraft
equipped with hybrid airbreathing
engines that will enable
aircraft to travel at Mach 5.
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030 ANNUAL SHOWCASE 2020
the ever-increasing need for more time. Consumers across
the world are echoing the sentiment that they not only
need more time in their lives, but also fewer pain points
and delays.
Consumers will have to pay more for this premium
service, but the time saving alone will be considerable – not
to mention the comfort and convenience. With flight times
potentially cut in half, airlines will need to supply luxuries
and facilities in a much shorter timeframe, while ensuring
maximal efficiency.
“ Environmentally friendly
aircraft will result in
longer flight times”
A slow approach
As an alternative to the super-fast
flights of the future, some consumers
in 2069 will seek to select slower
aircraft if they see an appropriate
trade-off for the lack of speed. The
survey found that 45% of consumers
would be happy to opt for a flight
that was slower, if it were the most
environmentally friendly, while
a unique and engaging airborne
experience will lure some others
to slower flights.
After takeoff, advanced
stabilisation technology will
enable passengers to remain
out of their seats for the
entire flight, without fear
of turbulence. Passengers
will be able to leave their
seats to go to a central
part of the aircraft, where
they will encounter different
zones, each bordering a central
bar. Each zone will have a
different focus, with screens replacing
the walls of the zone.
One zone, for example, will focus
on experiential learning about the
destination, with virtual tours via VR
headsets. Another zone will focus on
entertainment, where passengers can
interact with holograms and extended
reality experiences.
Finally, a health zone will give
passengers the opportunity to explore
different exercise options, such as
yoga, VR-enhanced treadmills and
other training machines.
However, a significant challenge to
this proposition will be the creation of
an aircraft that can be large enough to
fit different zones on board, while still
remaining energy-efficient. The zones
will require technology that is nascent
now, but will become more advanced
in the future, and will provide
connectivity options that will smooth
out any latency and frame rate issues.
65%
of consumers
surveyed would like
to be able to convert
their seat into an
entertainment
space
next 20 to 40 years, supersonic civilian transportation will
re-emerge, heralding a new paradigm for commercial
air travel. A key driver of such advancements
by growth in the space propulsion market, which
is projected to reach US$10 billion by 2023. Such
investment will unlock new propulsion capabilities
The key driver for
this type of technology
and transit service will be
RIGHT: A LONG-TERM IDEA FOR
2110, WHEREBY ‘HAPTIC PIXELS’
COULD MIMIC CLOTHING, REDUCING
BAGGAGE REQUIREMENTS
BELOW: THE CURIO HYPERSONIC,
AIRCRAFT WOULD TRAVEL GREAT
DISTANCES, CONNECTING MEGACITIES
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