High-net-worth individuals are eager to embrace the joys of flying in eVTOL aircraft, but only if they have sufficiently well-appointed cabins. That’s the key takeaway from a survey published on March 31 by organizers of the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) being held in Hamburg next week.
The AIX survey quizzed 250 senior business executives with annual incomes of more than £250,000 ($329,000) in the UAE, which is emerging as a likely early adopter of eVTOL air taxi services. It found that 96.4% of this group are open to the new mode of transportation, with 52.4% emphasizing their desire for convenience and accessibility, 49.6% attracted by what they view as a novel and exciting travel experience, and 47.6% encouraged by the reduced environmental impact of the electric aircraft.
Digging deeper, the report included calls for aircraft cabins to feature designs influenced by the Gulf region, with “culturally sensitive interiors.” Almost 98% said they will expect bespoke interiors, with a high degree of choice over cabin colors, lighting, and “tailored” entertainment options for flights that aren’t expected to take more than 20 minutes or so.
Almost half of the survey respondents said eVTOL aircraft operators must provide flexible family seating configurations. Few of the new models have more than four passenger seats, so service providers will presumably need to avoid marketing geared to large, extended families.
However, perhaps the most startling conclusion from the survey is that respondents generally are not too impressed with the cabins of today’s private jets. “The fact that 83.6% of respondents believe current business jet interiors are outdated highlights a crucial opportunity for our exhibitors to showcase truly innovative cabin designs that break the mold,” said Archana Dharni, the AIX show’s event director. “AIX is where the industry converges to define the future of flight, and this year we’re placing a special emphasis on ensuring eVTOL cabins not only meet, but exceed, the evolving expectations of this discerning clientele.”