How could airlines deliver a better passenger experience & more...(The Allplane Newlsetter #121)
There’s a new episode of the Allplane podcast!
Jeff O’Neill was back on the podcast to speak about passenger experience, aircraft seats and how airlines can improve their cabins, particularly in economy and premium economy. And we talked as well, of course, about this Zephyr Seat project to bring stacked lie-flat seats to Premium Economy class!
Advanced Air Mobility
Textron is planning its own eVTOL, which it expects to enter service by 2030. The American firm, which recently created a dedicated eAviation unit to work on electrically powered aircraft and advanced air mobility concepts, may be late to the party, but it is a force to be reckoned with! READ.
Vertical Aerospace is making progress with its certification process. READ.
Hydrogen Aviation
ZeroAvia is going north: the hydrogen powertrain startup is partnering with Swedish regional airline Braathens (which is also a pioneer in SAF adoption) and
Skellefteå airport (located near one of the Europe’s main battery gigafactories) in order to assess the induction of hydrogen-fed powertrains in the airlines’ fleet by 2027. READ.
Some thoughts by hydrogen entrepreneur Paul Perera on fuel cells and the perspectives for this technology. READ.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
Shell shelved plans to build a SAF plant in Singapore. Apparently the fact that most countries in Asia don’t have mandates or incentives to adopt SAF makes this pricier fuel a tough sell in the region. READ. Nevertheless, Neste is planning to open its own Singapore SAF plant soon.
Other sustainable aviation news
Lufthansa became the first European airline to join the First Movers Coalition (an initiative launched by the World Economic Forum and the U.S. Department of State at COP26 to promote the adoption of sustainable technologies). READ.
REGENT got another Japanese investor. This one may open up opportunities in logistics for the Seaglider developer. READ.
What else in aviation?
ITA Airways may end up in Lufthansa’s orbit as early as this April. READ.
Colombian airline Ultra Air has finally given up and cancelled all flights. The 2023 list of airlines ceasing operations is updated.
Cirrus Aircraft has presented its “Cirrus Aircraft Configurator”. This is an online tool that it is not unlike those that some fashion houses have to let you choose the colour and model you wish to buy, just in this case you use it to personalize your future light aircraft.
Pretty cool to play with, even if you do not intend to buy an aircraft in the near future!