Skift Take
Forty years sounds like a long time, but in aviation it’s barely long enough time to get your kit together.
KLM has shared details of the future vision AHEAD (Advanced Hybrid Engine Aircraft Development) blended wing aircraft, which promises to free passengers in our future cities from the confines of the traditional plane they've known for generations.
AHEAD is a collaborative project of TU Delft University in the Netherlands, with support from the European Commission and in collaboration with Airbus Group Innovations, engine manufacturers MTU Aero Engine, and WSK Reszov, EASA, and KLM.
The AHEAD project introduces a blended wing long-range aircraft design, with capacity in the range of 300 to 350 passengers, which, employing a new hybrid engine, could also usher in a cleaner era of aviation.
Tomorrow's Aircraft for Tomorrow's Cities
Skift spoke with Dr. Rao of TUDelft University, to understand the benefits to passengers, airlines, and our cities of tomorrow of the AHEAD blended wing aircraft design.
He tells us that AHEAD fills a gap in the market for long-range aircraft t