The fact that airplanes have extended operating lifespans—that is, that they stay in service for significantly longer than most other forms of technology—explains a large portion of that. Commercial planes are expensive to modify with the newest technology, so airlines frequently wait to install popular features until they buy new aircraft. Still, as airlines fight for passengers, significant new technology finally makes its way onto passenger planes.
In light of this, let us have a look at some cutting-edge technologies and features that may soon be added to aircraft to improve flying.
Wireless Charging
Many passengers who traverse the world in passenger aircraft rely on their personal electronic devices as a source of diversion. However, if your flight lasts longer than a few hours, there is a significant probability your device's battery could drain to extremely low levels or perhaps die completely.
USB ports are a common feature on contemporary aircraft, which helps with this issue. However, there are several issues with this approach that may render real connections unnecessary. For instance, your tablet or smartphone may not be able to be charged if your charging cord uses USB-C instead of USB-A.
Wireless charging is one way to potentially solve this issue. Wireless charging relies on two devices being close to one another so that radio waves can be used to transfer electricity instead of cords. You will not have to fiddle with physical connections where wires could tangle or get in the way when using wireless charging. Compatibility should not be as much of a problem because most contemporary devices enable wireless charging as well. Additionally, it can make room in your carry-on for other crucial things.
Free High-Speed Internet
More of the stuff we consume now comes from streaming than ever before. Whether you want to stream music or binge-watch the newest Netflix series, a robust and dependable internet connection is essential. This is not normally a problem in day-to-day living, but under specific situations, it can be quite inconvenient. Internet connectivity is frequently nonexistent on airplanes. While some airlines have attempted to offer Wi-Fi, the coverage is frequently spotty at best and is prohibitively pricey.
The majority of flyers need to download the content ahead of time and plan exactly what they want. Technological developments and innovations such as Elon Musk's Starlink internet could enable high-speed connections. You could be able to stream all of your entertainment and even use social media apps or chat services while in the air thanks to these quick and dependable connections. It would also seem sensible to provide this kind of internet connection at no cost, given the cost of air travel.
Massage Seats
Everyone who has ever taken a flight can agree on one thing: flying is not particularly comfortable. Even though some airlines offer slightly more comfortable seating and greater legroom than others, chances are that unless you are flying first class, you will be relieved to get up and move around by the end of the journey. Nonetheless, there are a few things that airlines may do to lessen their passengers' discomfort.
A possible solution would be to install new seats on passenger planes that make use of cutting-edge materials. According to futurist Dr Melissa Sterry, "part of the reason seats are standardized now is safety-related." This was said in an easyJet paper that examined the future of air travel. "However, advancements in materials science will lead to the development of stronger yet lighter materials, enabling customized comfort while upholding safety."
As a result, the seats may take on the characteristics of memory foam pillows to better fit your body type and offer additional support. The option for massage chairs, which can provide an extra layer of luxury by keeping you limber and relaxed while you fly, is also a welcome feature.
VR Headsets
There is no denying that flying can be excruciatingly boring at times, but it can also be a little overwhelming due to the numerous sounds and visual cues that can catch your attention at once. It may be challenging to watch something on your phone or listen to music when seated as a result. What if there was a method to simultaneously engage yourself and block out all those distractions? That might very well happen in the future if airlines choose to use virtual reality headsets to allow passengers to immerse themselves completely in any activity they choose.
Even though virtual reality technology is still in its infancy, there are currently several VR headsets that are well worth the purchase. Over the course of the next ten or so years, the technology underlying these gadgets will only get more sophisticated and affordable. Indeed, there is a good chance that virtual reality may eventually permeate more aspects of our daily existence. If that does come to pass, it is possible that passengers on planes would be able to use VR headsets in place of the familiar infotainment screen, which will likely be a lot better and more sophisticated.
Smart Lighting
There are currently very few options for customizing the flying experience. Although there is a reading light, that does not help you make your area. If airlines decide to invest, smart lighting might provide customers with a bit more control over their surroundings.
One popular method that people are using to personalize their houses is using smart lighting. Users of well-known smart lighting brands' light bulbs can adjust the color and brightness via linked devices like cell phones. This might be applied to airplanes so that each passenger can create the ideal environment for them while traveling without overly disturbing other passengers.
Additionally, there is proof that using certain lights helps lessen jet lag. To help passengers keep a steady body clock, lessen the symptoms of jet lag, and swiftly acclimate to changing time zones, certain aircraft now use LEDs to replicate the natural light outside. All long-haul planes should have smart lighting installed if data supporting these advantages can be shown.
Windowless Cabins
Any regular traveler can testify to the age-old debate about aisle or window seats. If your partners, family members, or friends all want the same seat, it might be especially difficult. Both have benefits: the one allows you to avoid disturbing other passengers by moving aside when they use the restroom, while the second makes it simple for you to get up without bothering them. You may be able to see some intriguing views from your window seat, though this is normally limited because there is not much to see at altitude.
A future advance has the potential to greatly improve the visual experience for every passenger on board and put an end to the argument over who gets to sit by the window. The Maverick Project, a novel cabin design developed by Rosen Aviation, intends to use a virtual screen that covers the inner surface of the aircraft in place of real windows. Large high-definition screens may then provide even more immersive graphics, providing unparalleled views of famous sites and scenic areas in nature. These screens might also offer details about what is being viewed, adding valuable information to the watching experience.
Smartphone Remote Controls
The nicest part about these internet-enabled gadgets is that you can control them all from one location, as anyone who uses the newest essential smart home equipment will attest. Usually, a common gadget, like a tablet or smartphone, serves as the central point for all the other smart devices. This implies that you may use a few button clicks to operate anything from your television to your central heating from one location. Since the technology is well-established and effective, it should be simple to adapt to different environments, including passenger planes.
Currently, there are two primary methods to use in-flight entertainment display screens: a touch screen or a clumsy remote control that is fixed to the seat. Regretfully, these technologies are frequently sluggish and challenging to use. Permitting passengers to use their smartphones as they might at home might be one way to get around this. Users would be able to choose and manage entertainment on an intuitively familiar device by pairing the device with the in-flight entertainment screen using Bluetooth or another wireless connection method. Enabling passengers to select their meals or make direct phone calls to flight attendants using their smartphones would be another helpful feature.
Tablet In-Flight Entertainment Systems
You can bring some amazing devices on long-haul flights to enhance the overall experience, such as laptops, tablets, and game consoles like the Nintendo Switch. However, you could just want to use the in-flight entertainment systems or you might not always want to bring along a lot of technology with you when you travel. After all, you may view some of the newest films and TV series on these digital screens whenever you would like.
The fact that these in-flight entertainment screens are attached to the back of the passenger's chair in front of you is their lone drawback. If they choose to recline their seat, the viewing angle may become unpleasant, and if they walk around a lot, the screen may shake in an annoying way. Making the in-flight entertainment system a tablet that you can take out of your seat and hold in your hands could be the solution to this problem.
Instead of having a one-size-fits-all approach, this modification would enable passengers to arrange the screen in a comfortable position that best suits them, even though it may require a connection to keep connected (and avoid theft).
AAA Gaming
Nothing kills time like losing yourself in a fantastic video game. While movies and television shows have their merits, games are a better option for longer journeys due to their involvement and length. For this reason, portable gaming consoles like the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck are ideal travel companions, but not everyone owns one or has the extra money to spend on one. It would be fantastic under those conditions if passenger aircraft had direct video game play via the in-flight entertainment system screens.
With services like Xbox Game Pass, gaming could be done via streaming if high-speed internet is available. But it is also possible that in the future, hardware specifically designed for gaming from a seat on an aircraft would be made practical by technological advancements. It seems sense that airlines might not want to provide controllers to customers because doing so would be costly and there is a chance they could disappear on deliberately or by mistake. Nonetheless, a lot of players will have wireless gamepads they might bring along, and there are plenty of excellent mobile gaming controllers that can be paired.
Climate Controlled Seats
When flying, it is quite easy to become too hot or too cold. It can be challenging to decide exactly what to wear in a pressurised cabin because of the distinct atmosphere and the large number of people crammed in close quarters. There are now just a limited number of things you can do to ensure that you are at the ideal temperature. If you are feeling chilly, you can use the little fan over your seat or add more clothing to stay warm, although neither method works very well.
Climate-controlled seats would be a wonderful enhancement to the flying experience for many individuals. Imagine heated seats on passenger jets, then compare them to those found in cars. By applying heat directly to the bodies of passengers, they would be far more successful at keeping them warm in chilly conditions. In the meanwhile, several businesses have experimented with seats that, as a passenger sits down, draw in air and circulate it around them to produce a cooling effect. With the help of such a technology, flyers may essentially establish their own microenvironments without interfering with those around them.