Flying Enters a New Era with A380 and Others go High Tech

A new age in air travel began this week with delivery of the new superjumbo A380 Airbus to Singapore Airlines. The plane is scheduled to start commercial passenger flights next week. It looks to be quite a plane. It is the largest jet airliner in the world to date, and the first double-deck passenger aircraft. I’m not sure how I’d feel about travelling on a plane of that size, but it does make sense in these days of concern about global warming. Carbon footprints should be cut considerably with more passengers travelling in one plane – or will fares end up being cut so much that more people end up travelling, hence more flights? If these new airliners are the way of the future it will be interesting to see how it affects travel patterns. For more information on the A380 visit: www.airbus.com.

Flying is also becoming more and more civilised - at least with some airlines. All Nippon Airways (ANA) Boeing 787 Dreamliners provide a bidet-type toilet which shoots jets of warm water! These new aircraft are said to be the first in the world to provide such a sophisticated service. I’m not sure I can cope with the budget airlines and their toilets any more (often clogged or out of order) after hearing this.

The Japanese certainly like their creature comforts. Apparently about fifty percent of homes in Japan have bidets which project warm water, as well as heated toilet seats! Some of the new models of toilets can be controlled remotely and also provide a massage, control odours, open and shut the lid and flush automatically! It sounds a bit creepy, but I think I could get used to it! No more fights with your partner over leaving the seat up; no more germs to worry about as you basically don’t have to touch anything except your own clothing and body parts!

Chinese airline Shenzhen is reported to be installing new technology in their planes which will enable the use of mobile phones and access to the Internet via laptops during flights. The technology company which came up with this new service is said to be signing deals with other Asian and European airlines - so stay tuned.  I can’t say I’m thrilled at the prospect of listening to other people’s mobile phone conversations during flights though.  How about you?

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 18th, 2007 at 9:04 pm and is filed under Airlines, Travel News .

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