Airbus Imagines the Future of Flying
Share
Forget the stresses and discomforts of air travel today, Airbus sees the future of flying as a holiday in a mid-air resort full of high-tech, virtual experiences that cater to the passenger with an emphasis on relaxation and fun.
A survey conducted by Airbus in 2012 showed that more than a third of 10,000 respondents felt that air travel had become increasingly stressful. With a growing population and even more people choosing to travel by plane, Airbus introduces the Concept Cabin.
“It’s no longer just a transportation media to get you from A to B,” says Ian Scoley, head of industrial design in an Airbus video. “It’s a lot more about the experience and the productivity and the well-being of how you use your transportation system.”
For starters, passengers will no longer be restricted to their seats. The Concept Cabin encourages passengers to wander into zones designated for vitalizing or interacting.
Passengers can relax in a lounge with a panoramic view of the sky. The walls in the Vitalizing Zone are covered with a responsive membrane that can control the amount of light that enters the plane. As described on the Airbus website, the experience is further enhanced with “a gentle sea breeze or the soft aroma of a pine forest wash over you; sound showers will ease you into the perfect sleep…”
Passengers seeking a more physically intensive activity can practice their golf swing in the Interacting Zone or join in a game of “Fusion Ball” which is described as playing catch over Manhattan skyscrapers or the Himalayan Mountains. The Interacting Zone also offers semi-privacy in the form of pop-up pods that allow for intimate conversations or dinner for two.
Back in the passenger’s seat, more relaxation awaits. Seats are engineered to mould and adapt to the passenger’s body and needs, even offering massages. Touch screens and holographic technology allow passengers to take virtual tours of their destination, communicate with friends, or even shop for clothes, trying outfits via projection.
“We’re aiming for a cabin that makes you feel healthy when you get off it,” says Scoley, “…or allows you to spend eight hours working or gaming or playing or connecting as you would on the ground.”
For a virtual tour of the Concept Cabin, check out the video below: