After continual set backs, Seattle’s*Chicago’s finest jet maker came through with the first successful test flight of its 787 Dreamliner last month. (By the way, if you want to see where the test craft is right now and details on its latest flights, click here). Around the time of the 787 virgin takeoff, I discussed some planned and hypothetical innovations to airliners to improve the flying experience. Well, Boeing appears to be targeting an improved in-flight experience with its new bird as a key way to differentiate itself from rival Airbus. And Wired got a first look inside the new jumbo jet just prior to Christmas.
Welcome to the Boeing Ultra Lounge: where the security line out front is slightly LESS effecient than your typical NYC/Miami/LA club.
Some of our suggestions appear to be incorporated: cabin air should be more agreeable, and the design is meant to provide more open space to overcome the claustrophobic feel almost all of us get to some extent on an airplane. One interesting innovation is around lighting. Both the windows and the artificial lighting in the cabin will be tightly controlled to provide the best possible environment — conducive to sleep at night and gently waking up in the morning — showing the engineers at Boeing cosidered our circadian rhythms when designing the plane and did them a great favor. Though honestly, some shots of this advanced lighting don’t look too different from what Virgin America does today.
It’ll take a few flights with real passengers until we hear how well these changes pan out and what’s still missing (e.g., greater legroom, good food/ service, the ability to meet and socialize with passengers). That said, I applaud Boeing for making interior design changes which reflect an understanding of our bodies and an effort to minimize the toll taken on them when flying.
*My hometown might have recently lost the Sonics but we haven’t forgotten about this travesty yet, either.
