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It's not just about runway length. Noise reduction would also make it easier to use smaller local airports. Electric aircraft are already more quiet, but there'
by audunw 4y ago
It's not just about runway length. Noise reduction would also make it easier to use smaller local airports. Electric aircraft are already more quiet, but there's probably room for even more reduction by using ducted fans or toroidal propellers.
We may also see a return to more of a hub-and-spoke model. Fly from a smaller, local airport close to you. Fly to some hub near the half-way point, switch to a plane that takes you to a small airport close to your destination. If planes are smaller maybe security can be relaxed too. Total time spent travelling could be comparable to taking a direct flight with a large international airport further from your origin and destination. Then the aircraft doesn't need to be very long range.
- vidarh 4y agoThe thought of a return to more of a hub-and-spoke model sounds like a total nightmare. It'd take a huge price difference before I'd consider that, personally (EDIT: As in, I usually check "direct flights only" or equivalent and only relent if the cost is ridiculously much higher). Then again my perspective is being near multiple large international airports, so maybe that might appeal to some.
- avernon 4y agoHub and spoke is primarily used to fill large planes. If you have 10-20 passenger electric planes you'd land at some random county airport, eat a hamburger or a taco while the plane recharges, then get back on the same plane and finish the trip. So you'd have a layover like hub and spoke but all the concerns about missing connections go away.
- vidarh 4y agoThat would be somewhat more palatable to me.