The flying megayacht: Italian designer devises exclusive catamaran blimp
The aerospace industry is currently living through an era of innovation, unlike anything it has seen in recent years. From drones and air taxis to sea gliders and new clean propulsion technologies, it seems that the floodgates of creativity are wide open following decades of slow but steady incremental advances. Even airships may be about to stage a comeback.
This passion for innovation is encouraging entrepreneurs from across the globe to propose ever more outlandish concepts — one of which is the eye-catching Air Yacht, a hybrid vehicle that looks like a crossover between an airship and a catamaran.
This futuristic aircraft is the work of Italian designer Pierpaolo Lazzarini, founder of Rome-based Lazzarini Design Studio, which has designed a number of innovative projects for the automotive, yachting and aerospace industries.
Composed of two large parallel blimps linked together by carbon fiber bridges that hold the whole structure together, the amphibious Air Yacht would be able to move almost seamlessly through the air and water. Passengers and cargo would travel in a rigid, aerodynamic cabin between the two blimp structures.
This levitating contraption, which would be powered by hydrogen and solar power from its rooftop panels, would be able to reach speeds of up 70 knots (nearly 81 mph) when flying and 5 knots (almost 6 mph) when sailing, its designers say.
The choice of hydrogen is an interesting one, as other recent airship projects have opted to use helium instead of hydrogen.
Asked about this decision, a spokesperson at the design studio said it opted for hydrogen due to its larger lifting power, which makes it possible to limit the volume of the blimps. Despite hydrogen being flammable, current technologies and materials make it possible to use the gas safely and securely, the studio says.
While the original concept measured a whopping 265 meters (869 feet) long and was capable of carrying 200 passengers, the latest iteration is much more compact at 100 meters (328 feet) long. (Presumably, it would have a somewhat lower payload, too.)
The Air Yacht has a stated flying endurance of 48 hours, and it is being designed to allow for boarding and deboarding while on the move. Helicopters would be able to land on a helipad located on top of the cabin to drop off or pick up passengers, the studio says.
Given the limited number of travelers with access to helicopters, it's not surprising that the aircraft concept is targeted at wealthy individuals as a flying megayacht of sorts. The luxe cabin design features a shipowner's suite that occupies the central space and provides 360-degree views. Additionally, there are five smaller suites, plus a large area for lounging and dining.
Although Lazzarini Design Studio has yet to secure investors for the Air Yacht, the studio is moving forward with testing a 30-meter (98-foot) scale model in Germany later this year.
There will likely be some unexpected challenges in this next phase of the Air Yacht's production journey, and only time will tell whether this latest aircraft will help spark a renewed interest in airships.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees