While the threat of climate change continues to emerge in many ways around the globe, companies are attempting to reduce their carbon footprint.
And when it comes to reducing the emissions of fuel, one of the biggest spotlights is on the airline sector.
The new aircraft (which is based on the Gibson guitar of the exact same name) has been reported to burn 20 percent less fuel than the most efficient plane.
The wait time for this new beast won’t be long — as a prototype model will take flight later in the year.
The concept was first developed by researches at Delt Technology University in the Netherlands.
It is financially backed by KLM.
If all goes according to plan – we could potentially see some of these planes in the sky soon.
And while its wingspan is the same as a regular aircraft – in this case – the wings are where passengers will sit.
This means that it can carry up to 314 people in what would normally be empty space — which also points to its fuel efficiency.
According to the KLM chief executive, Pieter Elbers, by significantly reducing the carbon footprint of air travel as well as the expenditure on fuel, the project is a potential leader in the sector of “sustainable aviation initiatives.”
And while there aren’t too many details on the inside of the plane, Professor of Applied Ergonomics and Design at the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering – Peter Vink – shared a bit on what you can expect.
“The new shape of the aircraft means we have exciting opportunities to design the interior, making flying more comfortable for passengers,” he said.
“For instance, as part of the Flying-V research, we’re looking into new options to having a rest or taking meals on a plane. Offering food from a buffet is one of the options we’re sinking our teeth into.”
The scale model of the Flying-V will be tested out by researchers in October 2019 to see if it can maintain stability and reliability while being flown at low speeds.
And if it the tests go well, others will be carried out and eventually it could potentially be introduced as a new type of aircraft for commercial airlines.
But that V-shaped plane is not the only shiny new toy in the air…
In 2025, you can expect to see the Boom Supersonic make an appearance.
So what will it do exactly that’s so revolutionary?
Fly you from Tokyo to San Fransisco in less than six hours to be exact.
A startup Denver-based company by the name of Boom is set to roll out the first supersonic jet since the Anglo-French Concorde which was retired over 15 years ago.
Recently, the company said it would make a demonstration flight by the end of 2019 and plans to deliver its very first aircraft to an airline as early as 2025.
Japan Airlines may be the first possible customer (an early investor in the company.)
They may have the option to purchase up to 20 of the 55-seat airliners which will fly at just over twice the speed of sound: Mach 2.2.
The planes will likely be restricted to subsonic speeds or under 700 mph over land.
But the idea of flying in half the current time from the East Coast to London or from the West Coast to Japan is tempting to say the least.
The company alleges that fares will be around equivalent to business class prices despite Concorde fares soared above the first class tab.
To the skies!
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