Originally published on businesstraveller.com 06/07/2012   RSS

Airbus has revealed the findings of a two-year consultation, with the majority of respondents expecting to fly more by 2050, but with a desire to do so less stressfully and with greater sustainability.

The aircraft manufacturer consulted 1.75 million people worldwide, with 63 per cent stating they will fly more by 2050, and around the same (60 per cent) believing that social media won’t replace the need for face-to-face contact.

But the consultation also found that the vast majority (96 per cent) of people believe aircraft will need to be more ‘eco-efficient’, and nearly half (40 per cent) see door-to-door air travel as becoming “increasingly stressful”.

The manufacturer says it has engaged with people in 192 countries as part of Future by Airbus – its vision of sustainable aviation in 2050. This has resulted in the creation of a concept aircraft and cabin, the images of which can be seen below.

Other results of the consultation include 66 per cent of people demanding quieter planes, and 65 per cent wanting “fully recyclable” aircraft.

Airbus says that its forthcoming A350 XWB aircraft will “provide a 25 per cent step-change in fuel efficiency whilst giving passengers more space on board”.

The results of the consultation have been released ahead of next week’s Farnborough International Airshow.

For more information visit airbus.com.

Report by Mark Caswell