How will the aviation industry change over the coming century?

Just recently, the aviation industry celebrated 100 years of commercial flying. Based on the developments the industry has gone through in the past century, we wonder: what will the next 100 years bring? A number of the world's most prominent airline CEO's were asked this same question.

Short-term changes: what will flying with commercial airlines be like in the next 5 years?

Gary Kelly, CEO of Southwest Airlines, answered this question. Mr Kelly believes that there will be fewer airlines but that the airlines that do exist will be 'bigger, stronger and healthier'. Aircraft will be made of new materials and they will seat more passengers. It might become healthier to fly and less radiation will interfere with the human body at high altitude. Additionally, more economical and emission-friendly airplanes will be produced at some point in time. It's even possible zero-carbon travel will, one day, become reality. The procedure at airports will be changed as well, meaning less high-cost labour will be required. More self-service systems, like those we already see at some European airports, will be introduced to check in baggage, print tickets or provide gate information to passengers.

What will happen in the next 25 years?

Sir Richard Branson, President of Virgin Atlantic Airways has no doubt that it will one day be possible to travel from London to Sydney in less than two hours, with minimal environmental impact. He also said that: "The awe-inspiring views of our beautiful planet below and zero-gravity passenger fun will bring a whole new meaning to in-flight entertainment."

James Hogan, CEO of Etihad Airways, commented on how the main hubs of airline travel will move to new territories: "The emerging markets — the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia — will become established markets and Abu Dhabi will be one of the uniting global hubs."

What is going to happen in 100 years?

The aviation industry obviously depends on technological innovation, and according to the CEO's asked to comment, new propulsion systems, new aircraft designs, aircraft made from new, lighter, more durable and/or cheaper (perhaps even recyclable materials) are where the future lies. Engines with a larger range and lower fuel consumption are innovative developments that could affect the aviation industry massively. 

It's hard to imagine what the future of aviation will look like exactly, though some designers are already working hard on their vision of the next generation of aircraft.

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