Step On Board Airbus' Modular Aircraft Mockup
Passenger aircraft cabins have gone from having exclusively forward-facing seats arranged in a standard 'window-middle-aisle' arrangement to featuring premium classes with private, rear-facing suites, showers, onboard bars and more. However, a special team within Airbus known as A³ is working on taking the onboard experience even farther.
A³ is a Silicon Valley-based Airbus company that focuses on innovation and reimagining the way we fly. One particularly interesting project the team is working on is called 'Transpose,' and it could radically change what passengers should expect on a commercial aircraft.
https://vimeo.com/195361117
Transpose focuses on rethinking cabin design and architecture for existing Airbus aircraft such as the A330. The most prominent feature are separate cabin modules, which would enable airlines to create whole new experiences for passengers in the air. Some modules include cafes, spas and gyms — all onboard commercial aircraft.
Could it be easily implemented? Absolutely. Transpose cabin modules are designed to be installed into existing freighter variant of a commercial Airbus aircraft, such as the A330-F.
Transpose asks passengers the following: "Imagine an afternoon flight landing at San Jose airport. The passengers deplane, and within minutes the seats in the cabin are being swapped out for bunks, making the aircraft’s next route: a 12 hour redeye to Singapore — a much more restful experience for passengers. That same plane could then be used for a short flight to Macau — in which the airline could swap out a sleeper cabin for a spa chain, ready to service vacationers eager to start their travels refreshed."
Modular cabin architecture eliminates aircraft reduces lengthy cabin customization times, increases flexibility in cabin design options and could really allow an airline to distinguish both its brand and onboard offerings — whether it's by offering something unique, or collaborating with an existing brand to develop a module fit for the aircraft.
What really excites us about Transpose are the endless opportunities to completely turn the commercial aviation industry on its head and give passengers an entirely new experience of air travel. As a passenger, your time in the sky could be spent:
- Maintaining your workout routine at 35,000 feet in a module set up with a gym
- Sipping a latte and working on your laptop in a coffee shop module that has the same feeling of an urban cafe
- Watching your children play in designated kids areas or a nursery
- Choosing whether to dine in the Greek restaurant, or the Italian one next to it
Airbus cabin trim and finish, designers and engineers would benefit from the flexible cabin installation timetable too. Transpose would allow Airbus to deliver finished aircraft interiors to airline customers much faster. Currently, cabin installations can only take place around six weeks before delivery day, as the aircraft is still being assembled on the line up until that point.
Earlier this year, the A³ team developing Transpose tested how a modular cabin would work, and how found out how it could better understand passenger interaction within the aircraft. In the video below, Transpose simulated a four-hour flight from 'takeoff' to 'landing' in a low-fidelity, full-scale prototype passenger cabin that featured a spa, restaurant and game room.
https://vimeo.com/202234873
A³ aims to have Transpose-enabled aircraft flying within a few years. While it recognizes it's ambitious (isn't ambition what Silicon Valley is all about?), it's already started discussions with regulators, and has the full support of its parent company Airbus, which is based in the South of France.
Bottom Line
We're very excited about what's happening in Silicon Valley at A³. We often hear about how airlines are 'reimagining' or 'rethinking' air travel, but what A³ has shown is an innovation that hasn't been seen before, and has the potential to reset everyone's thoughts of what it means to fly commercially. The opportunities are endless, and clever brand/company collaborations with the cabin modules could mean that we're just a few years away from joining a workout class or catching up with friends at Starbucks while flying across the Atlantic Ocean at 35,000 feet.
All images courtesy of A³.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.