Some interesting air travel inovations to watch for in the future, though wifi is now in use on a number of airlines which include Southwest Airlines and Delta Airlines.
Airplanes that use less fuel.
You may not drive a car and you may recycle, but if you take to the skies more than three times per year, you have a considerable carbon footprint. Scientists have developed an accessible eco-friendly jetliner that uses 70% less fuel than standard jets. We’ve all seen great ideas like this get shot down by bureaucratic decisions before, but because these jets are made by the same manufacturers using the same parts of conventional planes, it may be a change we seen sooner than you think. http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2010/nplus3-0517
Airplanes that detect ash.
Following 2010’s European ash debacle, airliners are looking for ways to keep passengers safe while flying over ash-prone areas. Economy airline company, EasyJet PLC is getting ready to implement infrared technology on the fin of commercial airplanes to detect ash up to 100 kilometers away. This technology is already in use by some airlines for detecting thunderstorms, but must be upgraded to detect ash in the atmosphere. EasyJet PLC doesn’t have the kinks worked out for getting this on all of their commercial planes, but they are spending approximately 1.52 billion dollars to make it work. http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2010/06/04/ash-radar.html
Free wifi access on planes.
This one is something that’s been in the works for a few years now. Airlines don’t want to offer free wifi access to passengers. After all, we’re already paying for checking our luggage and no longer get snacks, so why would we expect anything else for free? Companies like Route 44 are teaming with airlines and major companies to give us wifi with ads while on a plane. This gives advertisers a chance to reach out to desirable customers and gives customers a chance to play, work or shop while traveling. Virgin Airlines offered free wifi service for a limited time, but now has joined other airlines in charging about $5 an hour to access the Internet while in transit.
Cell phones on planes.
Believe it or not, the U.S. is among the last places to offer cell phone service on a plane. This is because the FCC prevents it and has legislation pending to permanently ban in-flight cell phone calls. While the cell phone may seem like a helpful tool on a plane, it may also be cumbersome for those around you to listen to your chit-chat whether it’s work-related or not. Still, when there’s money to be made, you can expect this “perk” (that you’ll likely have to pay for) to be available on U.S. planes in the next couple of years.
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