Airbus, the leading aircraft manufacturer, has big plans for transforming air travel by 2050. As you’ll see in the video below, Airbus plans to radically change passenger experience in the air by introducing a combination of features that can currently only be seen in science fiction movies. But apart from the experience, Airbus is showing its responsible side by striving to be more fuel efficient and reducing CO2 emissions even further.

Some of the alternative energy sources Airbus is exploring include biofuels, solar energy, hydrogen fuel cells and energy harvesting. Second generation biofuels, unlike fossil fuels, includes exploring options such as algae, woodchip waste, camelina, plants growing in salt water, waste produce and yeast. Once technological advancement is achieved these fuels can be used for all the planes in the world without any significant alterations.

Fuel cells transform hydrogen into electricity without emissions or noise and with only water, heat and oxygen depleted air as waste. Although it is unlikely that fuels cells will be the main power source, it will be useful in supporting energy requirements for the cabin and aircraft systems, including air conditioning. Solar energy, with its limitations, will also most likely be used to provide energy on board the aircraft once it has reached a certain altitude.

Energy harvesting, although seemingly farfetched today, will be used to harvest heat from the passenger’s body while seated and resirect that energy to power certain aircraft functions like the cabin lights. Watch the video below – I just hope I’m around to fly one of these aircrafts.

Tags: Airbus, Aircraft, Airlines, future, Technology, Travel