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Fly around the world in style on the 870 foot tall Aircruise luxury airship

by Scott Carmichael (RSS feed) on Feb 7th 2010 at 11:30AM

Every couple of years, someone makes the news with their announcement of a concept airship design that will "revolutionize the way we travel". This time, the design comes from London based design firm Seymourpowell.

Their concept for airship travel is huge - 870 feet tall. capable of lifting 396 tons and offering penthouse apartments, bars and huge glass floors.

The ship has been named "Aircruise", and (on paper) it should be able to carry 100 people from London to New York in 37 hours. The idea is that "slow is the new fast", which is just a cool marketing trick to make you ignore the fact that the trip will take 27 hours more than by plane.

Even though the design is still in its very early stages, Samsung has shown interest in the design, and is working with Seymourpowell on computer aided simulations. My only concern (besides the fear that this thing will never actually be built) is the choice of gas for the lifting bags on the Aircruise - Hydrogen (the same gas that kept the Hindenburg in the air).

Update: Dan Grossman from Airships.net has published a comprehensive article about how the entire "Aircruise" concept is nothing but nonsense. Thanks to Dan for his side of the story and insight into the reality of the airship world.

Gallery: Aircruise airship

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

mike Feb 8th 2010 2:56PM

Oh the humanity!

Heather Feb 8th 2010 8:11PM

LOL! I thought the same thing when I saw the "plane." Hindenburg II here we come!

Cooper Feb 8th 2010 3:00PM

I don't look at "slow is the new fast" as a cover up. I have always preferred a leisurely ride on a train - where I can watch the scenery, read, etc. over a frantic drive.

Amanda Feb 8th 2010 3:17PM

If I didn't have so many fears about this particular... airship... I would promote it so much. haha.
It would seem nice to sit back and relax while you are on your way to vacation. So many people are on regular planes and they are restless and are in these tight little places and they just can't wait to get to where they are going.... when we should all relax sometime. haha.

I would love to take in the scenery from the sky... clouds are always changing and to see the world from above must be breath taking... When I seen the ocean for the first time, I know it was breath taking.

This reminds me of the water habitats I like to look up and read about... such as Trilobis 65 (which is a floating home/luxary yacht) and I like looking up stuff about Lilypad which is supposed to be a floating city...

Bonbon Feb 8th 2010 3:11PM

I can see enjoying a slow trip across the land but who wants to spend that much time crossing an ocean with nothing to see but water? I think I'll stick to a regular airplane or a cruise ship, thank you.

don Feb 8th 2010 3:53PM

I take the AutoTrain from florida to virginia. Soo cool. they take my car, i get a private compartmen. Wine and chees party about 4pm, Filet mignon dinner at 7pm, cocktail lounge with a movie until 10pm and then go to bed and wake up for a nice breakfast and then arrive in VA at 830 am. A short drive home rested

Dont have to mingle with the low life bus people that are on the airplanes today.

the way to go and only about $600.00.

adam Feb 8th 2010 4:38PM

I really don't see whats gonna get this thing in the air.Unless its to small to see,i don't think it will work.

ruby2070 Feb 8th 2010 4:43PM

Airship? YES.
It's like all the RPG games.... In real life!

adam Feb 8th 2010 4:54PM

and like most watch somebody try to shoot it down.

john i. Feb 8th 2010 5:16PM

Id be a little nervous flying over the ocean for 20+ hours in this thing

Annie Scott Feb 8th 2010 5:16PM

SHUT the FRONT. DOOR. Awesome.

sparky Feb 8th 2010 5:33PM

Bull noose! I toured the Pacific during the RlyBigWW2, courtesy of the U. S. Navy Cruise Unluxury Line, and the Japanese Imperial Travel Agency. The slow part was when we were doing submarine Z-manouvers. For entertainment, we puked a whole lot in between skeet shooting with our 5" whoompers, and 30 calibre Brownings. Give me a jet liner anytime, even if I have to pay for the tickets.
the really old - Sparky.

skypilot Feb 8th 2010 5:34PM

Imagine being way up there and all of a sudden the WIND decides to gain speed???!!!!

BON-VOAGE!!!!! "LITERALLY"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's like a BIG, BIG KITE!!! With NO string!!!!!

sparky Feb 8th 2010 5:40PM

Oh, you cur you - Don.
The one thing that makes your trip affordable, is the fact that it is subsidized by taxpayer dollars.
Anything to keep Amtrak on the trak.
We have a west coast commuter Amtrak, too.
San Diego to Pismo Beach to sleep with your Pismo Bitch - $86.00.
Cheap.
The problem is - it is never on time.
No live people attending stations - only reader boards.
They give you ETA and all, but never spell out what day they intend to get here.
Ho hum.
Sparky

Dean Feb 8th 2010 5:37PM

I just use my mind and I can travel anywhere in the universe for free!Of course I've had people tell me I'm out of my mind for years anyway.LMAO

k6185 Feb 8th 2010 6:50PM

Terrific ! They have re-invented the " HINDENBURG " !!! Using the same type of fuel ? Can't wait to see where this version ( if its' ever built ) Blows up. 27 hours over the Atlantic Ocean ? Are you kidding ? Give me a" 747" anytime.

Lauren Feb 8th 2010 7:21PM

Hydrogen? Really?! Well i don't see why not, it held the Hindenburg up...UNTIL IT EXPLODED!!!!!!

dave Feb 8th 2010 8:01PM

To most of you retards that still think the Hindenberg exploded or Hydrogen was the cause of the fire, let me say WRONG! Did you read that correctly? If not I'll repeat it, WRONG!

The Hindenberg burned up due to the fact the fabric was treated with a protective coating that had gun powder in it, yes gun powder! Hydrogen burns almost invisible not orange like the footage shows.

Hydrogen is a very efficient gas better than Helium and for alot less cost, and for the idiot that is worried about the wind picking up speed, the airship would not be affected since it will be travelling relative the the airmass.

If the powerplant cannot overcome the velocity and direction of the wind then the airship will have 3 options.... either change altitude to a more favorable wind, or it will have to travel downwind to an alternative destination, or land.

Texangel Feb 9th 2010 1:28AM

Thank you, Dave, for correcting the misconception about the Hindenburg. The doping compound on the skin of the airship was extremely flamamble. (If i remember correctly, it was the same stuff NASA used as solid fuel for the booster rockets on the shuttle.) Even after 60 years, a small piece of the actual skin of the Hindenburg (that was retrieved after the disaster) retained its inflammable properties and was ignited with a small static electric charge and burned with the same intensity, speed and orange flame that was exhibited by the Hindenburg during its demise.

Part of the tradedy of the Hindenburg is that it virtually ended the use of Lighter-than-air craft and the Hydrogen was not even the culprit. Immediately after they figured out the probable cause, the Zepelin company changed the doping compound without telling anyone what they suspected was the real cause of the disaster.

Has any of you seen the Goodyear blimps? There have been very few occurances of mishaps. Airships are considered very safe. This design of this airship is very interesting. And for those who are ready to step out of the fast pace of modern travel and enjoy a more leisurely trip, i would say that it would be a rather exciting method of travel.