DOUBLE DUTCH
KLM reveal new fuel-efficient ‘Flying-V’ plane which uses 20 per cent less fuel and carries 314 passengers in dual-wing cabins
KLM have revealed plans for a new plane to enter their fleet called the 'Flying-V' plane, a v-shaped aircraft designed to be more sustainable.
The new plane will also use 20 per cent less fuel compared to the Airbus A350 thanks to the aerodynamic and lighter design.
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The plane is named after the Gibson Flying-V electric guitar, used by iconic artists such as Jimi Hendrix and Keith Richards.
It would be able to fit a similar number of passengers in it to their current aircraft, with 314 passengers across the two wings within the distinctive v-shape cabin.
Two turbofan engines, one in each wing, would help keep fuel costs down as the 180 foot (55m) plane takes flight and has the same wingspan of the A350.
The as part of KLM's 100th anniversary celebrations with plans to reveal what the interior would be like later this year.
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While KLM is funding the project, the aircraft plans were originally created by Justus Benad, a student at the Technical University of Berlin, before being developed by researchers at Delft University of Technology, also know as TU Delft, in the Netherlands.
TU Delft project leader Roelof Vos that, seeing as the aviation industry contributes 2.5 per cent of global co2 emissions, sustainable aircraft is an important development of the future.
He said: "We cannot simply electrify the whole fleet, as electrified airplanes become way too heavy and you can't fly people across the Atlantic on electric airplanes - not now, not in 30 years."
His comments follow Nasa's new all-electric airplanes currently being designed to use frozen hydrogen fuel to help prevent the offset following a growing number of travellers.
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Roelof continued: "So we have to come up with new technologies that reduce fuel burn in a different way."
He also explained how they were still testing the new design to ensure they were fuel-efficient enough.
The plane would still use oil to fly, but could be aided by "electrically-boosted" fans.
While the interior of the plane is yet to be revealed, suggestions of buffet food replacing meal options and new ways for passengers to sleep thanks to lighter chairs and bathrooms are also being researched.
However, fans of the new aircraft won't be able to experience it for themselves just yet - it isn't expected to enter the KLM fleet until at least 2040.
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