The European aerospace company, Airbus SAS, released a computer generated graphic on Tuesday, June 14, 2011 in London showing a concept design for an aircraft planned for 2050, as reported by Air Transport World, TNT Magazine, MSNBC, Australian Business Traveler, Trusted Reviews, the Daily Mirror, and other international media on Tuesday, June 14, 2011, shown in the attached video clip and slide show accompanying this article.
The futuristic aircraft, known as the "Airbus Concept Plane", will make air travel a visceral and unique experience. A transparent fuselage towards the front of the aircraft gives a panoramic view throughout the cabin, which is divided functionally, instead of by traditional coach and first class sections, into zones for work, rest, and play.
The ergonomic seating are styled to do away with complaints about cramped leg room. There are also new terms for the fuselage sections, which are being called "Vitalising" for the forward cabin, and "Smart Tech" for the aft cabin where travelers can work with fewer distractions.
A central multi-function pod will serve as an entrance portal, meeting space, virtual play area for golf or other computer games, as well as a lounge and bar.
The entire airframe is made of composite materials, with two engines mounted toward the rear of the fuselage.
According to Airbus, "Whichever flight experience is chosen, the passenger of 2050 will step out of the Airbus Concept Cabin feeling revitalized and enriched. The Concept Cabin will enable airlines to identify and respond to passenger needs and will include features such as morphing seats to accommodate individual body shapes, and panoramic views of the passing scenery."
Not everyone believes in this flight of fancy. Many of the comments left by travelers at the Airliners web site are skeptical that the design is not practical, and will never get off the ground. They also have the quaint feeling of similar remarks made over 200 years ago when hot air balloons were first introduced in 1783.
As one critic put it, "Can you imagine traveling through a thunderstorm in that plane!? I hope the seats come with diapers. I also think those of us who sunburn easily will have to wear wide brimmed hats and sunscreen on daytime flights."
Actual engineering and design issues will be more complex than the need to wear sunscreen or wide brimmed hats. It is also true that a lot of technological changes will happen during the next 40 years, and that the Airbus Concept Plane announced in 2011 may be dated by the time 2050 rolls around.
Just recall that auto shows of 40 years ago displayed such revolutionary design concepts as video screens taking the place of rear view mirrors, keyless ignitions, mobile car telephone, talking computer navigation systems, airbags, automated parking, electric cars, and even vehicles that could be operated without drivers, features that are now becoming realities.
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