See-through Airbus on way

AIRBUS plans to end the battle for the window seat as it rethinks the way aircraft cabins have been laid out and reveals its Concept Cabin.

Following on from the release last year of its Airbus Concept Plane, which showed off technologies to reduce fuel usage, emissions, waste and noise, the new-look cabin is based on the honeycomb-like structure of bird bones, which combine great strength with extremely light weight.

The frame structure will contain an intelligent cabin wall membrane. This can become transparent so that passengers get a full panoramic view of the daytime or night skies, but will still control air temperature. The new frame will also allow wider doors for easier boarding.

The body heat of passengers will be used to power electrical gadgets in the cabin and the materials used in the equipment will be 100% recyclable. Airbus will leave the ultimate lay-out of its aircraft to the airlines that buy them, but it has suggested that passengers could have access to personalised zones on board.

It proposes a “vitalising zone” to revive yourself with acupuncture and aromatherapy; an interactive zone with holographic games or virtual changing rooms for must-buy-it shoppers, or a smart-tech zone using holographics, communication technologies and sound zones to let passengers work with colleagues or read a bedtime story to their children. The company has not given a firm date for the plans to be realised.