How do you think advances in electric flight will change the way we fly privately?

Wide-body aircraft are typically used on long-haul flights, where their increased range and passenger capacity make them perfectly suited to such flights. However, airlines sometimes use double-aisle aircraft on short-haul routes, and while this decision may seem odd at first, it brings several operational advantages. Greater passenger capacity is an obvious plus, but it’s easy to forget that airlines can also use the increased cargo capacity of wide-body aircraft to generate additional revenue. This use also fills gaps in an aircraft’s schedule – for example, Finnair’s Airbus A350s sometimes fly daytime operations to London between night flights to Asia. As a passenger, you benefit from nicer seats, in-flight entertainment, and of course, the fact that it’s all completely new! Have you ever flown on a short-haul flight on a wide-body aircraft?

There are three main four-engine aircraft flying in the skies today. These are the Airbus A340, the Airbus A380, and the Boeing 747. Most airlines have retired the A340 and 747, but German airline Lufthansa still operates all three. Any regular listener of the Simple Flying podcast will know that the Airbus A380 is by far my favorite aircraft, let alone a four-engine. However, we’re interested in hearing from you. Let us know which is your favorite four-engine in the comments below!

The Airbus A380 is one of the most iconic aircraft in the world. It’s also the Marmite of aviation. You either love it or hate it. Many thought the type’s time was over after the COVID-19 pandemic, but the aircraft has made a pretty good comeback on many of its airlines, including Emirates. Emirates has indicated it will continue flying the type into the 2040s. Meanwhile, British Airways still plans to refurbish its A380 cabins, showing a level of commitment to the type. But how long will the aircraft stay in the air? I hope as long as possible, which for some of Emirates’ jets means the 2040s. But what do you think?

Several companies are considering hydrogen-powered regional flights. American Airlines is pursuing this with ZeroAvia, but another player, Universal Hydrogen, just failed. Airbus is looking at an entirely new hydrogen aircraft called ZEROe, which is expected to be launched by 2028. Do you think these players have a realistic chance? Let us know what you think!

It’s been over two decades since Concorde last flew. Like the Airbus A380, it never reached its planned potential. This was partly due to its sonic boom. Now a company called Boom is working to revive supersonic flight. Do you think we’ll see supersonic flights again? Let us know in the comments below!

In the summer before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, I attended the MAKS-2021 air show in Moscow and had the opportunity to see several historic aircraft on the ground, including the supersonic Tupolev Tu-144. However, I have not yet had the opportunity to fly on one of these unique Soviet-era aircraft, although some of them still fly outside of Russia today. In recent years, aircraft such as the Tu-204, Ilyushin Il-62, Il-96, Antonov An-124 and An-74 have been spotted in the skies. Have you flown on any of these aircraft or their predecessors? Let us know below!