Ahead of next week’s Paris Air Salon in the French capital, Airbus has revealed its vision for the year 2050, unveiling its Concept Cabin – a whole new flying experience inspired by nature. This latest installment of The Future by Airbus – a vision of aviation in 2050 – follows last year’s unveiling of the revolutionary Airbus Concept Plane, packed with technologies to reduce fuel burn, emissions, waste and noise.
The Airbus Concept Cabin now gives further insight into some of the innovations and technologies that will shape future passenger experiences on board. Personalised zones replace traditional cabin classes to offer tailored levels of experience. While taking a hop between destinations, according to Airbus, passengers in 2050 could join an interactive conference; enjoy a game of virtual golf; read the kids back home a bedtime story; and recharge in a ‘vitalising seat’ whilst watching the planet spread out beneath their feet.
The aircraft’s bionic structure mimics the efficiency of bird bone which is optimised to provide strength where needed, says the manufacturer, and allows for an intelligent cabin wall membrane which controls air temperature and can become transparent to give passengers open panoramic views. The Concept Cabin has an integrated ‘neural network’ creating an intelligent interface between passenger and plane. It can “identify and respond to passenger needs” and enables bespoke features such as morphing seats which “change to your body shape”.
The personalised zones enable a tailored level of experience. The “vitalising zone” is all about well-being and relaxation allowing passengers to proactively recharge batteries with vitamin and antioxidant enriched air, mood lighting, aromatherapy and acupressure treatments whilst taking in the infinite view of the world
Airbus claims there “no limits” to the kinds of social scenarios in the centre zone of the concept cabin – the “interactive zone”. The virtual pop up projections in this area will transform 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 oriented passenger with a chameleon style offering, to meet individual needs ranging from a simple to a complete luxury service, but all allowing them to continue life “as if on the ground”.
By offering different levels of experience within each zone, “airlines would be able to achieve price differentials” and give more people access to the benefits of air travel with minimal environmental impact, says the manufacturer.
Showcasing the innovative interior design, Charles Champion, Executive Vice President Engineering, Airbus, said: “Our research shows that passengers of 2050 will expect a seamless travel experience while also caring for the environment. The Airbus Concept Cabin is designed with that in mind, and shows that the journey can be as much a voyage of discovery as the destination. Whichever flight experience is chosen, the passenger of 2050 will step out of the Airbus Concept Cabin feeling revitalised and enriched.”
More than 90 per cent of Airbus’ annual research & development investment of over €2 billion has environmental benefits for current and future aircraft. For example, due to advances in technologies the concept cabin will be 100 per cent recyclable. It will have self-cleaning materials made from sustainable plant fibres which reduce waste and maintenance and will harvest passenger body heat to power cabin features. Such technologies are already being developed and, while they may not be seen in the exact same manner as in the Airbus Concept Plane and Cabin, some of them could feature in future Airbus aircraft programmes.
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