01/08/09, 12:16:57 UTC

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Airline fleets set to soar as new planes take off

news.com.au

THE aviation industry predicts that the world's airlines will be pumping a staggering $3 trillion-plus into brand new fleets over the next 20 years.

So get used to the rumble of jet engines vibrating through the air as the planes touch down at our airports. And to congested skies. For despite the global greenhouse row, few people will be willing to sacrifice travel for the greater good.

In fact, passengers are demanding more and better services from the world's airlines.

We want more comfort. Bigger seats. Better leg room. More entertainment. On-time services. Safer planes. Better security. And the "Big Two" aircraft companies, Boeing and Airbus, 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.

But while most of us are still getting our heads around the physics that propel a heavily laden 747 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. That's right, plastic.

If Hollywood were to make a sequel to the aviation movie Pushing Tin, noted one observer at the recent Paris Air Show, it would have to be called Pushing Plastic. It's a good line, and not that far-fetched.

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

For instance, Boeing's 787-8 Dreamliner, due to roll out today and enter service next May, will have an air pressure equivalent to 6000ft, not the 8000ft 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.

Yet 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, for instance, have announced that they will have fewer than 480 seats in three classes.

Singapore Airlines 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 Singapore Airlines' new B777-300ER (extended range) from Singapore to Paris, Zurich, Frankfurt, Milan, Barcelona, Seoul, Hong Kong and San Francisco will get an idea of what to expect of the seats in Singapore's 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 the seat back. I can only liken the experience to having your own mini suite with everything on hand except an en suite.

Both first and business classes in the 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 you won't be woken by them 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 39cm 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 the earphones is out of the way but near your head.

Business needs are fully catered for, from power sockets and USB ports to spreadsheets and Berlitz language courses on the multi-channel entertainment system.

Already, variations of the seat-back TV screens, plus the 900-odd entertainment options, power supply and USB ports are available in all classes; now all we have to do is to hope that more goodies will filter down from the pointy end into the economy cabin. Now wouldn't that be nice!

 Printable Version  | published Jul 11, 2007