Airline fleets set to soar as new planes take off

New Delhi, July 16: The aviation industry predicts that airlines around the world will be pumping three trillion dollars into brand new fleets over the next 20 years.

Despite the global greenhouse row, few people are willing to sacrifice travel. In fact, passengers are demanding more and better services from airlines.

People want more comfort with bigger seats, better legroom, more entertainment, on-time services, safer planes and better security.

The big two aircraft companies Airbus and Boeing are in cut-throat competition to deliver it.

It took aviation fewer than 100 years to progress from plywood, string and cloth miniatures to aluminium, titanium and steel monsters.

However, while most of us are still getting our heads around the physics that propel a heavily laden B747 or A380 off the ground, we all need to get used to the idea that the next generation of planes can seat more than 800 and be made of plastic-based composites.

Aircraft companies have invested heavily in research and development, aware that by replacing metal with these lightweight, stronger and stiffer components, aircraft will consume less fuel, be more resistant to corrosion and fatigue, weigh less and attract lower landing taxes from airports, and allow an increase in air pressure and humidity.

For instance, Boeing's 787-8 Dreamliner due to enter service next May will have an air pressure equivalent to 6000 feet not the 8000 feet in wide-bodied jets today. This will be more comfortable for passengers. Yet most passengers don't give much thought to the merits of one maker over another, despite the many billions being spent to convince us otherwise. All we want is safety and comfort and for the airlines to run on time.

However, there's a real buzz around the mammoth Airbus A380, despite a two-year delay in delivery due to wiring and other problems. The A380 megajumbo can seat more than 800 passengers in two decks but Singapore Airlines (SIA), for instance, has announced that they will have fewer than 480 seats in three classes.

SIA has the jump on deliveries over its rivals like Qantas, and expect their first A380 commercial flight to Sydney around October.

Qantas plans to begin its service in just over a year's time and will configure their plane to have around 500 seats.

The airlines are keeping their interior designs under wraps, but anyone flying business in SIA's new B777-300ER (extended range) will get an idea of what to expect of the seats in its A380.

The first and business class seats are huge. The largest flat bed in the sky in first and almost 50 per cent wider in business than most in this class, the airline says.

When the business seat is transformed from a seat or daybed into a firm, fully flat bed, one half of the head of the bed lies flat for maximum length, while the other has a sloped back. Privacy is enhanced by the wraparound fixed shell of seat back. One can only liken the experience to having a mini-suite with all controls on hand. Both first and business classes in 278-passenger B777-300 have lashings of leather and come in a 1-2-1 configuration, giving each seat direct access to the aisle.

Transforming them into a fully flat bed is as simple as pulling down the back cushion to flip the seat and reveal the sheet, pillow and duvet. A nice touch is the dedicated seat belt on this mattress which is at hip level for comfort and visible to stewards over the duvet. So a passenger won't be woken up in the event of turbulence.

Other inclusions in business are a do-not-disturb button on the arm rest and, on the seat-back shell in front, a 39 cm LCD screen, glasses pocket, illuminated vanity mirror, drinks shelf, large trolley bag stowage, shoe stowage and a horizontal document tray while a stowage hook for earphones is out of the way but near the head.

Business needs are fully catered for from power sockets and USB ports to spreadsheets and the 900-odd entertainment options.

UNI