Airlander 10

Hybrid Air Vehicles unveils cabin designs onboard Airlander 10 as part of its vision for the future of passenger transportation.

Inter-city transport will represent 40% of the urban air mobility market by 2050 according to research by global consultancy firm Roland Berger, so to cater for this growing demand, Hybrid Air Vehicles has launched a revised version of its Airlander 10 airship.

Built for short-haul routes such as Liverpool to Belfast or Seattle to Vancouver, Airlander 10 treads lightly on the planet, and thanks to electric motors powered by hydrogen fuel cells, it operates at a fraction of the emissions of current airborne options.

Passenger comfort is front-of-mind too; suspended beneath a helium-filled balloon, the ship’s cabin gives every passenger an armchairstyle seat and direct access to the aisles, while floor-to-ceiling windows offer natural light and views of the landscapes below. Timber flooring and a calming colour palette complete the look.

In addition to its design-led interior, the aircraft offers a clear pathway to all-electric flight; Airlander 10 will be available with up to 100 seats in a hybrid-electric configuration from 2025, operating with 90% fewer emissions than conventional models in similar roles, while a fully electric version could be ready by 2030.

Though airships are slower than traditional fixed-wing aeroplanes, Hybrid Air Vehicles say the craft will better serve travellers as they can take-off and land on any flat surface including water, meaning passengers can alight closer to their final destination.

“For many decades, flying from A to B has meant sitting in a metal tube with tiny windows – a necessity but not always a pleasure,” says Commercial Business Development Director, George Land. “On Airlander, the whole experience is pleasant, even enjoyable. And in the hybridelectric and future all-electric configurations, Airlander is a fit for our decarbonised future.”

Despite only being concept designs at this stage, Hybrid Air Vehicles has been guided by engineering and regulatory standards, with the cabins incorporating several considerations to ensure they are practical, feasible and ready for the transition into production when required.