Finally, airlines have found a way to give you more space to stretch out on flights, but there’s one catch: you have to travel in the cargo hold. Airbus and Zodiac Aerospace are teaming up to create modular sleeping compartments with all the luxuries of old-time train travel. By 2020, planes will be able to swap out the cargo area for luxury sleeper pods during long-haul flights, giving passengers a chance to arrive at their destination without feeling like they’ve been crowbarred into a sardine can.
The idea isn’t as far-fetched as it may seem. Right now, some planes have accommodations for the crew tucked down in the cargo hold. This idea just builds on that. We don’t have a ton of detail yet on what the pods will look like, but Airbus says that airlines will be able to swap them in and out without disrupting operations. The pods won’t be limited to sleeping areas, either. They can also be modified to be used as boardrooms, children’s areas, a medical bay or a lounge.
Airlines operating the Airbus A330 will be able to swap cargo space for sleeping pods by 2020, and the system will be expanded to the Airbus A350 XWB in the future. “We have already received very positive feedback from several airlines on our first mock-ups. We are pleased to partner with Zodiac Aerospace on this project which will introduce a new passenger experience and add value for airlines,” said Airbus.
Airbus is putting spacious sleeping pods in airplane cargo holds [Inhabitat]