Bedford-built Airlander 10 could cut flying’s CO2 emissions by 90% in just four years

Hybrid Air Vehicles has unveiled the Airlander 10 passenger transport with floor-to-ceiling windows, which it says makes it ideal for short haul flights.

Sitting in cramped conditions could become a thing of the past as every passenger is promised a comfortable seat with direct access to the aisles.

The Airlander 10 aircraft will be available with up to 100 seats in a hybrid-electric configuration from 2025, operating with 90 per cent fewer emissions than conventional aircraft in similar roles.

Founded in 2007, Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) is the Bedford company behind the innovative Airlander hybrid aircraft, which it says will be offered in a fully electric configuration by 2030.

George Land, HAV’s commercial business development director, said: “For many decades flying from A to B has meant sitting in a metal tube with tiny windows – a necessity but not always a pleasure.

“On Airlander, the whole experience is pleasant, even enjoyable. And in the hybrid-electric and future all-electric configurations, Airlander is fit for our decarbonised future.”

HAV says it's suited to inter-city routes like Liverpool to Belfast and Seattle to Vancouver - and although these are concept designs, the team has been guided by engineering and regulatory demands.