Aircruise

Aircruise is a concept hydrogen airship envisioned as the combination of cruise ship and luxury hotel,^[1] designed by the UK company Seymourpowell. Its design director is Nick Talbot. It has attracted the attention of Samsung Construction and Trading, for whom a concept video was produced.^[1][2] It was later revealed that the concept was a publicity stunt by Seymourpowell, and nothing like this concept could ever work.^[3]

Specifications

The Aircruise would be a solar and hydrogen fuel cell-powered airship.^[4] According to its design specifications, it would be 265 m (869 ft) tall containing 330,000 m³ (12,000,000 cu ft) of air and would carry a payload of 396 t (390 long tons; 437 short tons). It was "designed" to carry about 100 passengers with a flight crew of 6, 2 of whom are flight engineers, and another 14 supporting staff to look after passengers,^[5] for a total of 20 crew.^[6]

It would have glass floors for passengers to view the land and sea beneath.^[7]

Its land speed would depend on the wind, but it would supposedly be capable of traveling at 100 to 150 km/h (62 to 93 mph),^[5] in calm conditions, sufficient to travel from London to New York in 37 hours and from Los Angeles to Hong Kong^[4] or Shanghai^[6] in 4 days.

Its maximum altitude was 12,000 ft (3,700 m), and it was "specified" that it could fly at an altitude of about 300 feet for sightseeing.^[6]

Critical response

The Aircruise concept received generally favourable criticism, much to the embarrassment of reporters when the hoax was revealed. For example, The Daily Telegraph stated that it could herald a new era of luxury travel.^[8] Coverage in The Scotsman welcomed it as attractive for its environmental friendliness.^[9]

Eco friend

Ordinary cruise ships release 3 times as much greenhouse gas as a Boeing 747 per passenger and 36 times as much as the Eurostar.^[1] The Aircruise was thus claimed to be an eco friendly alternative, with its zero emission design.^[1][4]

References