Airbus wants to make your flight a futuristic wellness trip by 2050

Transparent membranes for a 360° panorama during your flight? Passenger seats adapting to all your needs? Holographic displays providing you information about Mount Everest while passing it? A whole new entertainment experience? And probably of capital importance: No classes anymore, but payment by use of services?
Airbus wants to open your mind and give a glimpse of future air travel. It's 2050 concept cabin (see official infosite) develops modern technology trends to imagine a more comfortable and at the same time more exciting journey above the solid ground of Earth. Admittedly, in part it might be a bit of bauble gadgets that look unnecessary to common passengers. But still, visions are made to inspire - and of course to show off and exaggerate a little.

The video with a visualization of the concept plane by Airbus:

Airbus Cabin of the Future

Article from Airbus website:
Concept airplane: Airbus presents a panoramic view of 2050

Intelligent cabin interiors replace class system for a bespoke flying experience
Leading aircraft manufacturer Airbus, in advance of the Paris Airshow “Le Bourget”, today invited the passengers of 2050 to discover its Concept Cabin - a whole new flying experience inspired by nature.

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. 

 Panoramic membrane roof - all images © Airbus S.A.S (2011) - ^ Click for full resolution! ^

This latest instalment 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. 

The aircraft’s bionic structure mimics the efficiency of bird bone which is optimised to provide strength where needed, 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. 

New personalised zones replace the traditional cabin classes in the Airbus Concept Cabin to offer new tailored levels of experience. The “vitalising zone” is all about wellbeing and relaxation allowing you to proactively recharge your batteries with vitamin and antioxidant enriched air, mood lighting, aromatherapy and acupressure treatments whilst taking in the infinite view of the world around you.

There are 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 can transform you to whichever social scene you 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 you 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. 

Showcasing the innovative interior design, Charles Champion, Airbus Executive Vice President Engineering, 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 percent 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% 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.

Visitors to Le Bourget International Airshow in Paris will also be able to experience the Airbus’ Future of Flight film, a 360 planetarium movie – a vision of the transformations in air transport between now and the middle of the century which not only focuses on aircraft designs and innovations, but also addresses passenger expectations. The movie will be part of the planetarium’s programme at the Musee de l’Air et de l’Espace from 20 – 26 June.

To find out more about the Airbus Concept Cabin and The Future by Airbus visit: www.thefuturebyairbus.com
Article source: Airbus press release of 14 June 2011

More images of the Airbus 2050 concept cabin airplane:

Full exterior view
The exterior body's transparency can be turned on and off

Rendering of the interior night view 



The 'interaction zone' features private pods for virtual shopping and gaming, as in this golf game. (Designboom)


Seating in the 'smart tech' zone seamlessly integrates technology into the flight experience.


Holographic displays and the likes provide everything imaginable, such as information about sights you pass by flying.
All images © Airbus S.A.S (2011).