The Aircruise may herald a new era in travel
TOWERING airships could be the future of luxury travel following the introduction of a concept called the Aircruise.
UK company Seymourpowell today released details of the new travel and transportation concept, which it has likened to a hotel in the sky.
In pictures: See the amazing Aircruise designThe Aircruise is a giant, vertical airship powered by natural energy and designed to carry travellers in style and luxury.
Standing at 265 metres tall from base to tip and is capable of lifting 396 tonnes, the craft features penthouse apartments, stylish bars and an array of glass viewing floors.
The company based its design around a maximum of 100 passengers on board, making the journey an adventure in itself.
Nick Talbot, design director at Seymourpowell, said the concept presents an alternative vision of the future, where ‘slow is the new fast’.
"The Aircruise concept questions whether the future of luxury travel should be based around space-constrained, resource hungry, and all too often stressful airline travel, Mr Talbot said.
“A more serene transport experience will appeal to people looking for a more reflective journey, where the experience of travel itself is more important than getting from A to B quickly."
Lifted by hydrogen and powered by solar energy, the Aircruise concept has benefits both for travellers and the environment.
“The physics of the airship requires a gigantic volume of lifting gas, yet simultaneously demands a relatively limited amount of weight. This allows for a potentially large amount of space with relatively few people onboard - a luxury for any traveller," Mr Talbot said.
The company has designed a detailed technical specification for the aircraft and believes the project is “achievable”.
It is estimated the craft will travel from London to New York in approximately 37 hours with a cruising speed without tail or headwind of 100 to 150 km/h.
There will be six flight crew members and 14 support staff.
Korean giant Samsung Construction and Trading is also behind the project.
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