alleviate the trans-
continental scourges
of dry eyes and itchy
nasal passages.4.
TAKE OFF
AND TUNE OUT
Perhaps the easiest
way to improve
a lengthy trip is
to help passen-
gers forget they’re
even flying. Unfor-
tunately, in-flight
Wi-Fi tops out at
a Netflix- throttling15 mbps. Airbus aims
to speed that up,
pending upgraded
telecom satellites
and transmission
stations. But even
if onboard internet
never supports binge
watching, future
flyers could enjoy
superior entertain-
ment options. Airbus
is also experiment-
ing with immersive
OLED displays and
even virtual-reality
headsets. What bet-
ter way to soothe
your nerves during a
22-hour flight thanpretending you’re
somewhere else?5.
UP AFTER
MIDNIGHT
Our bodies set their
circadian clocks ac-
cording to cycles of
light and dark. Many
airlines already use
full- color LED lighting
strategically on long-
haul flights to beat
fatigue, with brighter
hues simu lating day-
light, and warm pinks
to tell your body it’s
time for sleep. Air-
bus has developed
17 million light and
color combinations
that go beyond simu-
lating night and day:
These light- therapytechniques mimic
various outdoor en-
vironments and can
help sync passengers’
internal clocks with
their destination’s
time zone.6.
ASLEEP
ON THE JOB
Protracted routes
require multiple sets
of crews working
alternating shifts.
Off-duty pilots re-
charge in racks right
below the cockpit
or above business
class. The cabin at-
tendants typically
slumber in bunk-
houses hidden above
the last few rows
in economy. How-
ever, this space is
cramped, so crew-
members forced to
tuck in for several
sessions of shut-eye
aren’t getting themost restful sleep.
Both Boeing and
Airbus have made
upgrades: wider,
longer bunks with
increased overhead
space, closed off
with thick, noise-
muffling curtains.7.
TRADING
SPACES
Most planes hide
extra cargo com-
partments in their
bellies. But few air-
lines actually fill the
space with freight
pallets as intended.
On the Airbus A330
aircraft, that unused
space is 111 square
feet—about the size
of a Manhattan living
room. The company
has all sorts of re-
modeling ideas, from
the practical—think
infirmaries and busi-
ness centers—to
fanciful amenities
such as playrooms,
swanky lounges, yoga
and cycling studios,
or even nap areas
full of cozy bunks for
travelers to enjoy.7
6
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