Airlines set to launch new slimline planes - and passengers will love them
Passengers are in for a new aviation experience next summer as airlines start to roll out slimmer planes. These compact and more efficient aircraft are set to address several issues that travellers often encounter during their holidays, with some people welcoming the change.
As the holiday season approaches and temperatures rise, passengers flying United Airlines across the Atlantic will soon embark on a different kind of journey. The airline is offering direct flights from the US East Coast to various European destinations, including Spain, Italy, and even Greenland.
However, unlike previous long-haul trips, these flights will utilise single-aisle jets. This could signal the end of large hub airports, which are frequently crowded with passengers trying to catch their connecting flights.
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The introduction of slim, direct flights to smaller destinations aims to alleviate congestion at these aviation hubs and reduce travel times. In the past, airlines had to offer connecting flights on large planes to keep costs low.
But with the advent of smaller aircraft, the way we travel is about to transform. The Boeing 737 Max 8 and Airbus A321XLR are expected to be among the planes making these single-aisle journeys.
Their smaller size allows for higher departure and landing rates at local airports, with fewer crew members needed both on the ground and in the air.
The head of planning and alliances at United Airlines has spoken to the Financial Times about a significant change. He stated: "Smaller, fuel-efficient aircraft like the Boeing 737 Max 8 have enabled new nonstop service to burgeoning niche leisure destinations within reach from the US East Coast. Our point-to-point portfolio taps into the growing interest in diverse European locales."
This change is set to delight frequent flyers as it will drastically reduce long airport wait times and missed connections.
Meanwhile, budget airlines are also looking to transform their business by utilising newer, more efficient planes. The A321XLR Airbus is leading the pack as an alternative to Boeing for cheaper airlines.
It can fly non-stop for 11 hours and is set to be used by Wizz Air for their planned routes from the UK to Saudi Arabia. .
Other airlines, including Aer Lingus and Iberia, are also showing interest in using this model for transatlantic flights, according to the FT. Icelandair is considering using the aircraft for flights from its Reykjavik hub to Texas, California and Dubai.
In related news, an airport in Saudi Arabia has just unveiled its newly-expanded terminal, bringing it one step closer to becoming the world's largest. On January 8, King Khalid International Airport completed the first phase of its Terminal 1 overhaul.
The renovations will increase the airport's capacity from three million passengers per year to seven million.