You can say many things about easyJet (go on…say them. Out loud). But you can not say the company lacks imagination and vision.
Yes, just about all of their vision revolves around how to make more money out of every single inch of an airplane, and every second it has a person sitting on it. But, all airlines are like that when it comes down to it, right?
So whether you’re an easyJet user or not, chances are some of their predictions are likely to influence how you fly in the future regardless of what airline you fly on.
Okay, so some of the ideas will need some explaining, such as the 3D printed buffet’s. But, what other visions has the airline seen through its crystal ball (available duty free onboard now 50% off for $350)?
Biomimetic sensory plane seats, optoelectronic inflight entertainment beamed directly to passenger’s eyes and digital personal holiday concierges will be the norm by 2070, according to the airline’s 2070: The Future of Travel Report.
It says 75% of Brits claim these technological advances would make them more likely to go on holiday in the future, with heartbeat passports, time travelling holiday experiences, and 3D printed hotel buffet food among the expert predictions that Brits would most like to see become reality.
The ground-breaking…and at times brain-breaking report, commissioned by airline easyJet, forecasts innovations in airport journeys, air travel, accommodation, and holiday experiences.
Heartbeat and biometric passports will replace the traditional passport, for passengers to breeze through their airport. Much like fingerprints and the retina, every person’s cardiac signature is unique. Passengers’ heartbeat signatures and biometric details will be logged on a global system in the same way finger-print scanning technology works today.
Ergonomic and biomimetic sensory plane seats will become the norm, with smart materials adapting to passengers’ body shape, height, weight, and temperature, providing the ultimate tailored comfort flying experience
Inflight entertainment will be beamed directly in front of passenger’s eyes, via optoelectronic devices, replacing the need for onboard screens or downloading movies before you fly
e-VTOL air taxis will do away with the airport car park shuttle – the journey to the airport will be quicker and more convenient than ever before with 85% of passengers arriving by e-VTOLs from their homes to the terminal.
As technology advances, we will see significant advances in the accommodation experience abroad:
3D printed hotel buffet food will allow holidaymakers to 3D print whatever they want to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner, while reducing food waste.
Subterranean hotels built into the fabric of the earth that are super energy efficient and at one with the environment
All hotel rooms will be smart rooms with beds already pre-made to exactly desired firmness, ambient temperatures and favourite music playing based upon preferences you select in advance of booking the holiday
A holographic personal holiday concierge will accompany holidaymakers to provide up to date destination information and assistance throughout their stay
3D printed, recyclable holiday clothes on arrival at the hotel will remove the need for suitcases and fast holiday fashion as travellers can print the clothes required in their hotel rooms, tailored to their perfect fit and style, and recycle the materials for the next guest to enjoy.
Human powered hotels which harvest energy from its guests’ footsteps in order to generate power.
‘Time-travelling’ holiday experiences – tomorrow’s travellers will be able to holiday in past by wearing haptic suits at historical sites that enable them to immerse themselves in live historical surroundings marveling wonders of the ancient world like the Colossus of Rhodes during a stroll in Rhodes Town, or cheering among the crowds of the original Olympic Games in Ancient Greece.
Try before you buy – bionic and Meta holiday previews ahead of going on holiday that allow you to experience locations before booking your holiday
Underwater ‘sea-faris’ – aquatic adventures onboard submarines for tourists deep beneath the sea discovering marine life in underwater marine parks
Local language in-ear devices will be available to take on holiday to translate the local language in real time and enable us to speak the local lingo
E-foiling, cable skiing and flyboarding will become the norm on offer for rent on the beach front, truly taking water sports to another level.
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The easyJet 2070: The Future Travel Report was authored by a group of leading academics and futurists, including Professor Birgitte Andersen of Birkbeck, University of London and CEO of Big Innovation Centre; Dr Melissa Sterry, design scientist and complex systems theorist; and renowned futurists Shivvy Jervis and Dr Patrick Dixon, as well as Director of Transport Systems at Cranfield University, Professor Graham Braithwaite and Nikhil Sachdeva, Principal for aerospace and defence and sustainable aviation at consultancy Roland Berger.
