AND FINALLY: Airborne luxury

Airbus A380, eat your heart out. You may be able to offer First Class passengers showers but the world’s largest aircraft is planning private en-suite bedrooms, an infinity lounge, relaxed fine dining and panoramic views for its clientele.

Bedfordshire-based Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) and Design Q last week unveiled the passenger cabin for the Airlander 10 airship with facilities including a viewing lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows and a glass floor (see below).

Nervous types probably should not apply, but there will be a bit of a wait yet – the “Flying Bum” as it's been called because of its shape, has to complete 200hr of test flying before it can enter service.

HAV CEO Stephen McGlennan said: “Air travel has become very much about getting from A to B as quickly as possible. What we're offering is a way of making the journey a joy.”

Meanwhile, we’ll just have to sit and dream.

More pictures and videos are on the HAV website.

www.hybridairvehicles.com

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OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum

Paul Kay,

"New Gas USA Barry" ....literally, 'New Gas'....no World War 1 spiked helmets or World War 2 era Radio Masts!

John Davidson, France/Paris

This looks like a great idea, if with only limited opportunities for service. No seatbelts!? A bit curious. It reminds one a bit of the upper deck on 747s which were first thought of, it seems to me, as special dining places for 1st-class pax.

Barry Graham, United States

The last passenger flight of this type of aircraft didn't go so well if I read my history books correctly.