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.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.