World's Biggest Aircraft Will Have Private Rooms And A Full Bar For Passengers

Hybrid Air Vehicles hopes to launch the Airlander aircraft within the next four years, meaning passengers will be able to fly up to 4,000 miles in relative silence and comfort

Passengers will be able to wander freely, enjoy a drink at the bar and even open the windows on what will be the largest aircraft in the world.

In four years time the first Airlander 10 will launch, if ambitious plans for the Zeplin like craft come together. With two long, white balloon like structures holding the passengers aloft, the craft is a modern interpretation of the early 20th century airships.

The company behind it, Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV), claims it will be able to stay airborne for five days straight, travel 4,000 nautical miles, reach 20,000 feet and carry ten-tonnes. Unlike modern commercial planes which are noisy and very fuel hungry, the Airlander will be near silent and produce 75% less emissions than comparable planes.

The firm claims tickets will be "comparable to what is seen today" in terms of current flight prices. The main downside is speed. While a Boeing 747 cruises at 575 mph, the Airlander is likely to max out at 75 mph.

That means a journey from London to Malaga in Spain, which are 1,043 miles apart as the crow flies, would take around 14 hours, compared to just under three hours with a budget airline. Given that catching the train between the two cities is likely to take well over a day and include a lot of logistics, and how polluting a form of transport commercial flights are, Airlander may still find it has a market.

Its other big draw is the onboard experience, which HAV promises will be far more pleasant and spacious than anything the non-first class passenger is likely to enjoy on a plane.

"Airlander will be spacious and are designed with passenger comfort in mind. They’ll be able to walk around, as well as open windows. Airlander is significantly quieter than traditional aircraft," spokesperson for the company Clara Taylor told the Mirror.

"On board, the aircraft is extremely quiet as the engines are far away from the passenger cabin. There is ample space to socialise, to work, to eat and drink, and to relax quietly. Low vibration makes it a calm, more comfortable journey. The floor to ceiling windows mean natural light streams in and fresh air can circulate as the windows can open."

Clara went on to outline hopes that the aircraft will be "100% emission free" at some point in the near future, through the use of "electrification, as well as exploring the use of hydrogen fuel sales."

HAV says it is aiming to have the aircraft certified this year, with production also beginning in the next 12 months. If the company's plans come to fruition, a 1,200 person factory will be launched in South Yorkshire to produce the Airlander.

In March 2023, the firm received a £7 million funding package from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to develop the industrial facility.

Source:https://www.mirror.co.uk/authors/milo-boyd/