FUTUR E V I SION
“Flying will undergo a
transformative change
over the next century”
After entering the aircraft, a passenger will find
themselves in an already personalised environment. Their
seat will use biological scanners to pick up physiological
and nutritional needs, suggesting different foods and
beverages, which will be 3D printed on board the aircraft.
The meals will be delivered by holographic staff that
emanate from small robots, freeing-up human staff for
other activities such as answering questions and delivering
high-end concierge services. These human staff will have
a vital role in maintaining the human touch on board,
and differentiating the level of service from other fully
automated aircraft.
The two key drivers of this proposition will be the
desire for convenience and luxury, but it will be the
expectation of these two drivers that propel this type
of service. Consumers will have access to these types
of fluid services in many other areas of their lives, and
this will drive expectations of these services on board
as well. 3D-printed food, for example, will be common
in 2069.
A key benefit to consumers is the availability of choice
and flexibility while in a traditionally inflexible
environment. Through offering on board 3D printing and
personalisation options, as well as connections to the cloud
for consistent access to personal profiles, consumers will
have the luxury of having all they need, tailored to their
preferences, wherever they are.
Most of this technology is already available, making the
challenges here much less about technological development
than the logistics of making sure weight on board will not
impact range or emissions. This may require the
development of more lightweight 3D printers, and different
materials for the construction of the airplane itself.
THE NEXT CENTURY: A LOOK TO 2119
From an infrastructure perspective, as we approach the
year 2119 flights will be radically different. Longer distance
flights will be more vertical than horizontal, using space
elevators and the benefits of low-Earth orbit to achieve
much faster speeds than on the ground. Intercity and
short-haul travel will be almost entirely drone-based, with
swarms of passenger drones shifting between different
modes, depending on context.
aircraftinteriorsinternational.com
032 ANNUAL SHOWCASE 2020
While infrastructure changes and challenges will
reframe transportation in terms of speed, efficiency and
energy use, experiential changes to flying will also radically
adjust what passengers can expect on their journeys.
The biggest change in the future flying experience will be
the ubiquity of virtual and mixed reality. We expect the
majority of individuals to spend large proportions of
their day in VR in the next century, with certain work,
entertainment and social activities conducted entirely
virtually. Concurrently, many physical objects will likely
decline in value as 3D printing and digitalisation become
more efficient; digital experiences will inevitably replace
all but the most necessary physical experiences.
The availability of 3D printing and rapid construction
will further disrupt our relationship with objects. The
increase in value of digital objects, with the ability to
simply print new physical items when needed, will further
change how individuals approach ownership. Luggage and
larger objects can limit the efficiency and ease of flying
for passengers, and being able to 3D-print items at the
destination can save time. While currently only plastic
can be 3D-printed easily, natural fibres and other materials
will likely become available, enabling clothing or shoes to
be printed on-site, removing the need for heavy baggage.
Flying will undergo a transformative change over the
next century, with new modes of transport challenging
traditional methods – just as aeroplanes were the previous
century’s challenger. From the use of low-Earth orbits and
drone networks, to virtual reality environments and 3D
printing, the ways travellers transport themselves will
operate under vastly different conditions and challenges.
Ultimately, across all future travel methods, experience,
efficiency and speed will be the key factors of enjoyment
and success, just as they are today.
Expert contributions provided
for this report came from
Boeing, Airbus, IAG, Rolls Royce,
London Science Museum,
Autodesk, Safran, California
Institute of Technology,
Bombardier, London City
Airport, Futurizon, Royal College
of Art, HKS Architects, Superflux
and, of course, British Airways.
Credits
45% of
respondents would
prefer to take an
environmentally
friendly flight, even
if it meant a slower
journey
AIRCRAFT COULD BE MADE
SIGNIFICANTLY LIGHTER
THROUGH THE 3D-PRINTING OF
STRUCTURES USING TITANIUM
AND OTHER MATERIALS TO EXACT
SPECIFICATIONS. THIS MOCKUP
PANEL WAS ON SHOW AT A BA
EXHIBITION THAT TOOK PLACE
AT LONDON’S SAATCHI GALLERY
/aircraftinteriorsinternational.com