Passengers, you are now free to roam about the ceiling.
In-flight movies and Wi-Fi could soon be replaced by a whole new kind of diversion: This teardrop-shaped rooftop viewing bubble that offers a spectacular view of the sky beyond your plane.
It's called SkyDeck, and its developers say it could easily work on both private and commercial planes. Passengers would ascend from the cabin via staircase or elevator and into a one- or two-seat canopy area similar to those on fighter jets.
We'd say this is more "out-of-flight entertainment" than "in":
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SkyDeck is the brainchild of aerospace engineering services company Windspeed Technologies, which is currently seeking investors for its project, director of engineering Bruce Stewart told HuffPost. After funding, it would take about 12 to 18 months to get SkyDeck out of development and onto real planes.
We hope the time "flies" by.
H/T CNN
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Canada’s second-largest airline is giving Southwest some competition as it expands the number of routes around North America, while also inaugurating transatlantic flights with its first route to Dublin earlier in 2014. Some planes have seatback satellite TV; others have rental tablets with preloaded shows. All fares include a checked bag. Main Hubs: Calgary, Canada; secondary hubs in Toronto, Edmonton, Vancouver, and Winnipeg. Where It Flies: About 90 destinations in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Photo: Rolf Hicker Photography / Alamy
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WestJet
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Canada’s second-largest airline is giving Southwest some competition as it expands the number of routes around North America, while also inaugurating transatlantic flights with its first route to Dublin earlier in 2014. Some planes have seatback satellite TV; others have rental tablets with preloaded shows. All fares include a checked bag. Main Hubs: Calgary, Canada; secondary hubs in Toronto, Edmonton, Vancouver, and Winnipeg. Where It Flies: About 90 destinations in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Photo: Rolf Hicker Photography / Alamy
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Norwegian Airlines
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This carrier is attempting world domination, flying to 126 cities, including, most recently, routes to New York; Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, FL; and a handful of West Coast cities. Its new planes have free Wi-Fi and larger overhead bins. Main Hubs: Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, London Gatwick. Where It Flies: 126 destinations in Europe, North Africa, Thailand, the Middle East, and the U.S.
Photo: Jordi Vidal Conejo/Demotix/Corbis
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Peach
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Launched in 2012, Japan’s first low-cost carrier excels in efficiency, with streamlined check-in kiosks and security that whisks passengers to the gate in mere minutes. Food-for-purchase menu includes local specialties like octopus-stuffed takoyaki. Flex fares—which are approximately 30 percent higher, depending on the route—include one checked bag and seat selection. Kansai’s low-cost terminal has limited seating, and boarding process is by seat (window, middle, aisle) rather than by row, which separates groups traveling together. Main Hub: Kansai (Osaka), Japan. Where It Flies: 10 domestic destinations, plus six international routes to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and South Korea.
Photo: Akihiro Sugimoto/AFLO
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FastJet
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EasyJet’s founder has a stake in this rapidly growing low-cost airline, which debuted in 2012. Expanded international routes mean lower fares to Johannesburg, South Africa; Lusaka, Zambia; Harare, Zimbabwe; and Entebbe, Uganda. Fastjet’s new SmartClass fares include premium seats, free checked luggage, and unlimited date changes without penalty, although its fares rival those of traditional carriers. Main Hub: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Where It Flies: Seven destinations in Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
Photo courtesy of FastJet
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Launched in 2006, IndiGo is already India’s largest airline, and its fleet of new Airbus A320 planes operate on an increasing number of routes, like the new daily flight between Delhi and Jaipur. Free checked bag before boarding. In-flight food and beverage menu includes flavored cashews and vegetarian samosas; water is always free. The new Airbus A320s aren’t fitted with in-flight entertainment or Wi-Fi. Main Hubs: New Delhi and Mumbai, India. Where It Flies: 31 domestic destinations, plus Bangkok; Dubai; Kathmandu, Nepal; Muscat, Oman; and Singapore.
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Photo courtesy of VivaAerobus
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Jetstar
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The Jetstar group has grown to include Jetstar Asia, based in Singapore; Jetstar Pacific, based in Vietnam; and Jetstar Japan. The newest affiliate, Jetstar Hong Kong, awaits regulatory approval before beginning flights to mainland China, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia. Seatback entertainment systems or loaded iPads available to rent on flights longer than 90 minutes. The airline is less generous with baggage; prepare for a 15.4-pound limit on carry-on luggage for domestic flights. On international flights, the only food option is prepurchased online. Main Hub: Melbourne. Where It Flies: 60 destinations in 16 countries from Australia and New Zealand to the Pacific and Asia.
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