Ten innovations that could make flying better in the next five years
Boom Supersonic has tested a prototype jet which it hopes will become an 80-seater supersonic jet called Overture
Like any low-cost airline, easyJet isn’t known for its creature comforts. But that could be about to change, with the carrier announcing that it will soon unveil a new seat design that it claims will give passengers around 2in more legroom.
The new seats, designed by the British manufacturer Mirus, are set to be installed in 2028. Though it turns out they’re not the only innovation that could make flying a less unpleasant experience in the years to come. Here are potential game-changers to look out for.
1. Starlink satellite Wi-Fi
Game-changer rating: 4/5
The Starlink revolution is truly underway: last month, the first BA flight with Elon Musk’s super-speedy satellite internet took off from Heathrow, with the service set to be installed across BA’s entire fleet in the next two years.
British Airways plans to roll out fast and free Wi-Fi using Starlink satellites - Adobe Stock
It isn’t just that Starlink is fast (though with speeds of 250 megabytes per second at 39,000ft, it certainly meets that criterion). BA is providing the service free, while touting “gate to gate” connectivity. In other words, no more having to wait 30 minutes after take-off to spend £20 on intermittent Wi-Fi.
2. L-shaped lockers
Game-changer rating: 3/5
Getting excited about overhead bins might seem the height of nerdiness, but bear with me on this one. Back in 2023, Airbus announced a radical new locker design for its popular A320 planes (the ones flown by easyJet and BA, among others) meant to allow suitcases to stand vertically, thus increasing storage space by 60 per cent.
The new Airbus L-shaped bins allow bags to lie vertically on their side rather than flat on their wider front or back
The new lockers could mean less arguing over locker space, less pressure to cram bags underneath seats, and fewer requests to put carry-on bags in the hold. The new bins are being installed on new A320 planes and are being advertised as retrofits, so they should be the default by the end of the decade.
3. Facial recognition for boarding
Game-changer rating: 4/5
While it may not be popular with those who value privacy, facial recognition has been making inroads into airports for years, though not so much in Europe. In flashy Gulf airports, it’s now possible to check in and pass security using your biometrics, as I found on a trip to Dubai last year.
Over in the United States, meanwhile, some airlines and airports have made strides in using facial recognition to eliminate admin at the gate. Rather than scan your boarding pass, the camera confirms your face matches that of the person who passed security and you’re good to go.
Again, I had the chance to try the new system on an American Airlines flight from Miami to New York last year and was thoroughly impressed.
4. In-seat ordering
Game-changer rating: 3/5
Drinks trolleys have long been the bane of budget flights, blocking the aisles so the flight attendants can do the mandatory hard sell on everything from sandwiches to scratch cards.
Thankfully, Bluetooth technology makes it easy for customers to order directly to their seat from their phone, which at least cuts out time spent taking payments. Ryanair has been using in-seat ordering for a while, and while it can be intermittent at times, it’s a massive improvement on the old system.
5. Flat beds… in economy
Game-changer rating: 3/5
While beds are commonplace for business-class passengers on long-haul flights, they’re vanishingly rare in economy cabins, for obvious reasons. But has the US-based airline United come up with a plan to change that?
From next year, United plans to let passengers book an entire three-seat row in economy, which they can then turn into a makeshift bed by flipping up special footrests. The airline hopes that, by supplying passengers with pillows and blankets, they can create a lie-flat experience without the hefty cost (and the other trimmings) that comes with going premium.
Up to 12 rows of economy seats will have sturdy, upholstered leg-rests that flip up 90 degrees to create a firm, flat bed
Will it work? The design was enough to impress Telegraph Travel’s aviation expert, John Arlidge, who tried out “Relax Row” last month.
6. Live television
Game-changer rating: 2/5
High-speed internet connectivity opens up the possibility for live television streaming on flights. For some premium airlines, that means offering live sports channels, including Premier League football matches and other content that would usually be paywalled back down on Earth.
This isn’t entirely new. Emirates first began experimenting with live sports more than 10 years ago – but it is becoming much easier to do. If you’re flying on a domestic flight in the US, don’t be surprised if you find some decent sports packages available on the in-flight entertainment.
7. Temperature controls
Game-changer rating: 1/5
Environment customisation for business-class passengers has been possible for a few years, with Lufthansa leading the charge. The idea is that passengers can tailor the lighting and temperature in their suite to their own comfort.
Fussy frequent fliers would be able to customise their environment before boarding - ATHVisions
The next step would be enabling passengers to save their chosen settings on their phone, allowing them to adjust their seat automatically every time they fly. The perfect feature for fussy frequent fliers.
8. Digital bag tracking
Game-changer rating: 2/5
For all the efficiency drives we’ve seen across aviation, the process of checking in your bag still feels stuck in the 1990s. Almost one in 200 bags in 2024 ended up mislaid by airlines, according to data from SITA, and while most were recovered relatively quickly, lost luggage remains a stressful prospect for travellers.
Digital bag tracking could make checking in large luggage far smoother and less of a hassle - Vera Vita
These days, airlines are increasingly looking to use digital technologies, including GPS, to improve things. Virgin Australia lets passengers follow their tracked baggage on the airline’s app, while Alaska Airlines sells digital tags meant to save time printing paper tags at the airport.
If rolled out across the industry, features such as these could make checking in large bags much less of a bother.
9. Luxury suites… on smaller planes
Game-changer rating: 1/5
Premium carriers have been trying to outdo one another’s long-haul business-class cabins for decades. But now the competition seems to be extending to shorter routes, with carriers unveiling super-plush seats on single-aisle jets too.
To be fair, American carriers have been at it for a while. But the trend has gone into overdrive in the Middle East, where Etihad even has two first-class suites on its Airbus A320s. That means you can enjoy a full lie-flat bed, as well as a 49in seat pitch, when undertaking a three-hour flight.
Given the cost constraints in this part of the world, I would be surprised if it takes off in Europe. But it’s still exciting to see some airlines pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
10. Supersonic planes
Game-changer rating (if it happens): 5/5
These days, it often seems as if the prospect of super-speedy transatlantic flights is constantly being dangled in front of us, yet nothing ever seems to come of it.
Since the days of the Concorde, supersonic passenger trips have felt just beyond our grasp - Andrew Holt
Still, maybe we shouldn’t give up hope. In Colorado, the aerospace venture Boom Supersonic has tested a prototype jet which it hopes will eventually become an 80-seater supersonic jet called Overture. In theory, it would be able to cross the Atlantic in a few hours, exceeding the speed of sound.
Bringing the project to fruition is likely to require billions more in research funding, but Boom has at least some pre-orders in the book, including from two of the biggest US airlines.
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