Finally, Individual Climate Control in Airplanes

Published Mon, Oct 1st, 2012   Wall Street Daily Research

 

 

While the new bird formation idea for planes we told you about this morning might make you nervous, this other aviation technology should be welcome news for air travelers everywhere.

Scientists from Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute have designed a new climate control technology for airplanes. No, it’s not another way to spray lukewarm air at the top of your head. This technology will direct fresh, humidified air through a flexible nozzle that you can point in multiple directions.

The scientists have also designed an air outlet near the seat so each passenger can control his or her preferred temperature more effectively.

Designing the prototype wasn’t an easy task, either.

As Reuters’ Jim Drury says, “Working with nine private companies, Fraunhofer tested a number of ideas before arriving at the prototype design. It had to meet the strict safety requirements for air travel. It couldn’t take up any more space than a conventional seat, and the air-conditioning system had to minimize humidity. Crucially, it also had to work without interfering with the pressurization systems inside the cabin at high altitudes.”

With any luck, we’ll see the technology make it inside airplane cabins soon. For first class only, no doubt.