When it comes to private jet concepts, the sky is no longer the limit. With private jets in high demand, private jet manufacturers are under increasing pressure to push the boundaries of aerospace engineering and design cutting-edge private jet concepts that will excite and inspire travellers.
From supersonic speed revolutions to windowless jets, there appears to be no limit to what aircraft designers can envision or what money can buy, with futuristic private jet concepts becoming increasingly outlandish each year.
While some private jet concepts are a few years ahead of what can be physically built and will thus remain concepts until technology catches up, others may be available to experience considerably sooner than you expect.
Overture by Boom
With Concorde’s retirement in 2003, the necessity for speed seemed to be all but gone. With the unveiling of its private aircraft concept, Overture, Boom, a startup aerospace business, is meeting consumers’ desires for speedy and accessible air travel. Overture is expected to be the fastest commercial airline ever developed, capable of reaching Mach 2.2 (twice the speed of sound), making supersonic travel more accessible than ever.
The business jet is expected to slash travel times in half, with a flight from New York to London taking only 3.5 hours. In addition to industry-leading speeds, Overture will set the standard for sustainability by focusing on fuel efficiency, noise reduction, and engine compatibility with sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). Boom hopes to fly Overture for the first time in 2026, after the demonstrator is unveiled in 2020.
IXION by Technicon Design
The views from an airplane are unsurpassed, with patchwork farmland and glimpses of cities giving way to enormous oceans – yet many passengers complain that the traditional porthole airplane windows don’t do the views credit. It may come as a surprise, then, to learn that some aviation companies are experimenting with fully windowless planes, such as Technicon Design’s IXION private jet prototype.
Far from the claustrophobic journey that springs to mind, the windowless IXION will actually give passengers an even better view thanks to the high-definition screens that line the cabin walls. The state-of-the-art screens will project a 360-degree view of the outside world in real-time, via external cameras on the plane’s wings. Initially designed for the 2013 NBAA show to showcase Technicon Design’s creative design and visualization capabilities, it is unlikely that we will see IXION in the air in the near future – however, it does pave the way for new onboard experiences.
Alice by Eviation
It’s no secret that an electric revolution is underway, but the push for greener transportation has also reached the skies, with sustainability playing a crucial role in the majority of recent private aircraft projects. Eviation’s Alice was unveiled at the 2019 Paris Air Show as the world’s first all-electric commuter aircraft, with prices starting at $4 million. Alice, which is paving the way for more sustainable private flying, uses no fuel, has no emissions, and is incredibly quiet as it flies through the clouds.
Alice is poised to become the ultimate eco-friendly commuter private aircraft, with major orders already in place for the nine-seater jet, with a modest range of 440nm. Despite the early promise of a first flight in 2019 and FAA clearance in 2021, Alice has had a few setbacks in her development process, including a fire at the start of the year, which has cast doubt on its commercial launch date.
Pulse by Embraer
Pulse, which was created to commemorate Embraer’s 50th anniversary and to imagine what aviation might look like in the following 50 years, is unlikely to fly any time soon, with a tentative delivery date of 2070. The futuristic aircraft concept is based on the world’s first concept automobile, Harley Earl’s Buick Y-Job, and is designed to combine the experiences of flying and driving, with passengers being moved directly from jet to car via a glass pod.
Pulse would not only revolutionize how we travel, but it would also totally transform the flying experience, with its translucent glass pod providing unrestricted views of the outside world. When passengers get tired of looking out the windows, they may turn them into an interactive media centre where they can watch a movie or catch up on emails. However, as incredible as Pulse may sound, many of its characteristics rely on materials that do not yet exist, such as translucent metals, making even a 2070 delivery seem optimistic.
SpaceShipTwo by Virgin Galactic
Space travel is the logical next step for the globetrotter who has visited all four corners of the globe. Some assumed the Virgin Galactic space travel project would never come to reality after nearly 15 years of development and failure after setback. SpaceShip Two, on the other hand, maybe performing commercial trips to space sooner than we think, with final tests scheduled for the near future.
The highly anticipated futuristic cabin interiors of SpaceShips Two were revealed earlier this year. The cabin has been meticulously constructed to instil a sense of calm and comfort in people who have never been so far from Earth. It includes reclining seats that will absorb excessive G-force, mood lighting, and soft-touch materials. Passengers will experience zero gravity at the very edge of space after travelling an astounding 60 miles above the earth’s surface.
Explorer by Lufthansa Technik
The Explorer private aircraft idea by Lufthansa Technik, first shown at the 2021 Monaco Yacht Show, is meant to be far more than just a mode of transportation. Instead, the plane serves as both a mode of transportation and a destination, similar to how luxury yachts do.
Explorer’s facilities on the ground will be comparable to those found in a five-star hotel, thanks to its Airbus A330 base. Guests can expect a VIP cabin, full toilets, office space, and social facilities in addition to several sleeping quarters. There’s even room for an outdoor terrace.
The integrated projection system that covers the ceiling of the main social area, creating a realistic inflight perspective, is another standout feature. Guests can choose from a variety of graphics, including starry night skies and undersea seascapes.