With oil prices at record highs, air travel is guaranteed to look much different in the future. Flight has come a long way in terms of innovative technology, but it’s also gone down immensely in terms of economy class hospitality for many airlines to compensate for higher fuel prices.
Trend Hunter has covered a lot of news on emerging airlines, from nudist flights, outer space weddings with Virgin Galactic to completely free flights from other advertising-heavy airlines. We’ve also seen the world’s largest airport erected in Beijing this year, and Lufthansa’s entire terminal dedicated to pampering its first class passengers.
Enjoy a look into the future of air travel. We kick off with Virgin’s top innovations followed by the world’s most amazing new terminals.
Sir Richard Branson is releasing Business Stripped Bare: Adventures of a Global Entrepreneur in September. In the publication, which is being released by Virgin Books, Branson will finally reveal the keys… [More]
In recent years, airports have received increasing attention from governments and architects, and have become monuments of architectural accomplishments on their own. They have come a long way from being… [More]
Neat Airline Concepts
Branson made his name hauling Virgins across the pond. Now, Derrie-Air wants to make a fortune by charging passengers by the pound. Luggage charges and peanut charges were, well, peanuts, compared to what… [More]
EasyJet was probably the first airline to use its aircrafts as giant brand billboards, and now it seems aerial advertising is starting to hit the skies hard. We have already seen Armani and Versace transform… [More]
Being able to travel is a luxury, right? We say this not only because of time, but because literally the cost of accommodation and the flight fare alone can leave a horrendous dent in your bank account.… [More]
There is interest in turning the double-decker Airbus A380 into the world’s first flying casino. Major airlines have not been interested in this project, but interested customers are located in Asia,… [More]
If you’ve ever dreamed of flying naked, you better head to Germany! A travel agency there is offering the first nudist holiday flights for vacationers who like to take the bare minimum when traveling.… [More]
German airline Lufthansa is considering stacking its passengers three high on their A380 SuperJumbo long distance flights. This would be in the horizontal position in bunks, so they could sleep on the… [More]
I can’t believe I’m writing a Hello Kitty trend. The Japanese icon has been around so long, it’s one of those things most people, myself included, hoped would be a passing fad. Anyone who feels the… [More]
Can’t resist your unhealthy craving? A new airline, Smintair, lets you smoke in flight. From IHT: If Alexander Schoppmann is right, then where there’s smoke, there’s a flier. As more countries ban… [More]
Ultra Luxury Travel
EOS Airlines all business class flight based out of New York’s JFK Airport. The future in Travel is apparent with all the recent private Jet companies springing with affordable services and airlines such… [More]
Japan Airlines is introducing luxury suites in first class cabins on the Tokyo – New York flights aboard their new 777-300ER aircraft starting August 1, 2008. The suites are ‘ultra-sweet’ with… [More]
We have heard about the largest passenger airplane to ever fly but, have you heard what it will cost to be one of the first to fly on it? A flight from Singapore to Sydney on Singapore Airline’s brand… [More]
Qatar Airways is launching a 10,000 square meter exclusive terminal for first class passengers. The terminal features spa treatment rooms, saunas, and other luxury amenities. Akbar Al Baker, the CEO of… [More]
Green Innovation
The Bombardier CSeries jet is proof that Canada’s token airplane manufacturer is series about going green. Analysts are predicting that the line of more environmentally-friendly planes will be a tremendous… [More]
Richard Branson is once again a step ahead of the competition and his company Virgin Atlantic has become the first world airlines to fly a 747 jumbo jet on renewable fuel. The flight from London to Amsterdam… [More]
Boasting 20 percent fuel savings, while spewing out less greenhouse gasses, this jet will be a must-have in the ultra competitive airline industry. This fuel efficiency is enabled by a revolutionary light… [More]
Silverjet, a new British airline, aims to become the global market leader in eco-friendly business class ‘luxury’ air travel. The company, which is currently only flying from NYC to London, has joined… [More]
The greenest way to check in for a flight may also be the most yellow. Madrid wants visitors to know from the moment they land that its citizens are concerned with the environment. The $7.4 billion Terminal… [More]
Security & Pre-Flight Innovations
If you’ve ever flown from Europe to Asia with multiple stops in between, you would definitely appreciate this watch designed by Jacky Wu, Neo Chen & Eric Liu. Ticketime is a boarding pass as well as a… [More]
No more excuses for dirty hair! Paper Shampoo is the answer to the recent airline security restrictions on liquids. In addition to traveling, this ultra compact unique shampoo can be great for camping… [More]
Balanzza’s new portable, digital luggage scale just might keep Santa from over-packing this holiday season. Many a traveler has arrived at the airline ticket counter only to learn their bags are too heavy.… [More]
Although I am extremely sick of the obessesive airport security measures, I actually think this is a swell idea. Maybe the name ‘Tunnel of Truth’ makes it sound cool and geeky. The Transportation Security… [More]
Other
The number-crunchers over at DelayCast have crunched some historical data to predict the likelihood of your flight being delayed or canceled. They can predict a broad range of delays by looking at specific… [More]
Well, not really ceiling-less, because that would be a little windy. Emirates, a recent airline company, does offer their unique stars and moodlighting system. This display simulates the time of day at… [More]
The New York Times recently published a story about a rise in the incidence of airline passengers, hotel guests and restaurant patrons who insist that their dogs be admitted “emotional assistance” animals.… [More]
Lufthansa has opened a new animal station at the Frankfurt Airport, designed to offer the latest in animal handling practices. It is billed as the most modern animal station in the world. Lufthansa Cargo… [More]
For the frequent flyer in your life, here’s a must-have gadget that he’d love to find in his Christmas stocking. Priced at $300, the Mikimoto-Beans i-Theater Video Glasses will transform any airline… [More]
Jet Blue is teaming up with Yahoo and Blackberry to bring WiFi to airplanes next week when a plane called BetaBlue will fly from JFK to San Francisco offering passengers email access, and instant messaging.… [More]
As I write, I am en route to Detroit from Victoria, Canada thanks to GM who asked Trend Hunter to review their new models for 2008. Part of that, of course, involves going through the tedious procedures… [More]
There is a growing trend in the elite world today to have their baggage and goods delivered when they travel. Every traveler knows the frustrations associated with checked baggage on scheduled airlines.… [More]
The Japanese are in with another robot first, the RoboPorter is a thus far free service that is being tested at Kita Kyushu airport in southwest Japan. He’s not very cute and doesn’t seem to be much… [More]
Let’s face it, when your talking vomit, style doesn’t exactly seem to fit in most cases, until now. Redstr/collective have come out with limited design edition barf bags for your savvy frequent flyer… [More]
Ads and Marketing
German airline, Lufthansa, has launched a hilarious ad campaign that highlights cultural stereotypes in a series of laugh-out-loud videos. Under the slogan, “You’ll never know if you don’t go,” Lufthansa… [More]
Silverjet, the new British all-business-class airline, has done a cheeky take-off of the famous British Airways ‘face’ advert from 1989. They’ve remade the iconic British Airways commercial in exactly… [More]
This is one of those Dubai marketing strokes of genius. LeanMeanFightingMachine developed a campaign for Emirates Airlines to mark the launch of their non-stop flight from Dubai to Sao Paulo. The campaign… [More]
As part of their marketing campaign, Silverjet Airlines is promoting ‘Women Only’ washrooms with a very racy video. It seems the airline is making full use of The Mile High Club concept to promote their… [More]
Given that US airlines are currently seeking additional revenue from nearly any source imaginable, perhaps it was inevitable that soon six commercial airliners operated by Allegiant Air will be wrapped… [More]
U.S. Airways has discovered another in-flight medium to sell to marketers - the barf bag. Phil Gee, a spokesperson form the airline said it’s difficult not to notice the bag when rummaging through the… [More]
Brussels Airlines has resorted to an pickpocketing awareness campaign which involves placing fake plastic hands in un-attended bags. The goal: freak people out and get them to be more careful. The firm… [More]
Bizarre Stories
Southwest Airlines, once known for under-dressing its flight attendants, is being sued for booting an ‘under-dressed’ passenger. The passenger, Kyla Ebbert was asked to leave by a flight attendant. She… [More]
If you’re a nervous flyer, then this could be the airline for you. Nepal Airlines wasn’t content to just fix the technical problems on one of their Boeing 757 jets, they got old school and sacrificed… [More]
After a China Airlines plane crashed, the PR team was quick to do some major reputation protecting. Gathering a team of speedy Chinese workers and a bucket of white paint, the company was quick to put… [More]
Bianca Bartz
Edit
Top 19 Virgin Innovations + Branson’s New Book
Airports as Monuments - 9 Amazing New Airports (GALLERY)
Charging Fliers by Weight - Derrie-Air
Urban Art & Music Flights - Vueling by MTV (GALLERY)
Free Plane Tickets - ULCCS Like RyanAir Offer Free Flights
Flying Casinos - Airbus A380 Spark Interest in Asian Markets
Nudist Flights - Naked Travel in Germany With OssiUrlaub.de
Triple Bunk Jet – Lufthansa Fits More Passengers Horizontally (VIDEO)
Hello Kitty Airbus - Eva Air Proves Japanese Anime Continues To Rise (VIDEO)
Smintair - Smoker’s International Airline
All Business Class Flights
Travelling in Luxury - Japan Airlines Introduces First Class Suites (GALLERY)
$250,000 Plane Ticket - Singapore Airbus A380 (GALLERY)
Luxury Terminal - Exclusive Quatar Terminal for 1st Class
Eco Planes - Bombardier Reveals The CSeries Jet (GALLERY)
First Renewable Fuel Flight - Virgin Atlantic Flies On Babassu & Coconut Oil
Flying Green - Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner (VIDEO)
Carbon Neutral Flying - Silverjet is the World’s First Eco-Stylish Airline
Eco Check-In – Terminal 4 at Madrid Barajas Airport (VIDEO)
E-Paper Boarding Pass Watches - Ticketime (GALLERY)
Paper Shampoo - Airport Security Safe Hygiene Innovations
Portable Digital Scale - Balanzza Easily Weighs Luggage (GALLERY)
New Airline Security Mechanisms - Tunnel of Truth
Crystal Ball of Flight Delays - DelayCast.com
Ceilingless Airplanes - Emirates Airbus A340-500 (GALLERY)
Hotels / Airlines Forced to Accommodate Pets As “Emotional Support”
Airport VIP For Pets - Lufthansa Frankfurt Animal Lounge
Video Glasses for Frequent Flyers - Mikimoto-Beans i-Theater
WiFi Flying High - BetaBlue on Jet Blue Airlines
Not So Random “Random” Searches – Airport Customs (GALLERY)
Luggage Delivery - Travel Hassle Free
Japanese Robot Carries Luggage - RoboPorter at Kita Kyushu Airport (VIDEO)
Designer Barf Bags - Puke in style
Lufthansa Sterotype Ads - RumorTravels Campaign (VIDEO)
Video Ad Spoofs British Airways - Silverjet Airlines (VIDEO)
14 Hour & 40 Min Ad - Emirates Airlines Non-Stop Info From Dubai to Sao Paulo (VIDEO)
Mile High Club For Women Used to Promote Women Only Bathrooms (VIDEO)
Aerial Billboards. How effective will they be?
Barf Bag Advertising
PickPocket Guerrilla - Fake Hands Placed In Bags by Brussels Airlines
Too Hot for Takeoff - Southwest Airlines Sued for Booting Under-Dressed Hooters Waitress (VIDEO)
Bizarre Travel Rituals - Airline Sacrifices Goats
PR Damage Control - China Airlines Covers Logo After Crash (GALLERY)
Love Airline concepts & Green concepts- now fly from Burbank CA to Honolulu HI & or Cabo San Lucas Baja Mex & Im In.
Ok airlines.
