In a revolutionary move, Virgin Atlantic has further relaxed its uniform policy for airline pilots, crew and ground team to allow them to choose which of the airline's iconic uniforms, designed by Vivienne Westwood, best represents them – no matter their gender, gender identity, or gender expression.
Reflecting the diversity of its workforce and solidifying Virgin Atlantic's position as the most inclusive airline in the skies, LGBTQ+ staff will be able to choose either a red or a burgundy uniform.
Effective from now onwards, the decision champions the individuality of Virgin Atlantic’s people by enabling them to wear the clothing that expresses how they identify or present themselves. This follows previous changes including optional make up and allowing visible tattoos for crew members and its front-line people.
Not just for people who identify as male or female, Jaime Forsstrom (pictured far left, below), a member of cabin crew at Virgin Atlantic, says: “The updated gender identity policy is so important to me. As a non-binary person, it allows me to be myself at work and have the choice in what uniform I wear.”
In addition to the non-gendered uniform policy, wider updates include the mandatory inclusivity training for staff, in-destination training with tourism and hotel partners, and optional pronoun badges.
The idea is that the badges will allow wearers to clearly communicate and be addressed by their preferred pronouns (she/her, he/him, they). Not just for staff, customers will be able to ask for one at check-in or in the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, too.
Virgin Atlantic has also updated its ticketing systems to allow for those who hold passports with gender neutral gender markers to select "U" or "X" gender codes on their booking, as well as the gender-neutral title, "Mx".
Currently, citizens from a small number of countries including the US, India and Pakistan, are able to hold these passports and travellers must travel on the codes that match their passport.
In lieu of passports with gender-neutral gender markers being available for all, Virgin Atlantic is implementing a longer-term plan to amend communication preferences to ensure customers are addressed by their preferred pronouns across all touchpoints.
Mandatory inclusivity training will also be rolled out for its people at all levels across Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Atlantic Holidays as well as a series of inclusivity learning initiatives for tourism partners and hotels within destinations such as the Caribbean to ensure all our customers feel welcome despite barriers to LGBTQ+ equality.
Launched as part of its "Be Yourself" agenda, the airline has already unveiled a series of industry-leading inclusivity initiatives for its people to ensure they can truly be themselves at work and feel comfortable in their roles. This latest addition follows a decision in 2019 to offer cabin crew the choice whether to wear make-up as well as the option to wear trousers and flat shoes.
TV personality Michelle Visage, British youth worker and LGBT rights activist Tanya Compas, model and influencer Talulah-Eve and Non-Binary performer and activist Tyreece Nye have teamed up with Virgin Atlantic to showcase the new policy in a stylised fashion shoot, with images displayed in this story.
Visage says: “As the mother of a non-binary child, and as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community, these efforts by Virgin Atlantic to further inclusivity for its people are extremely important and personal to me. People feel empowered when they are wearing what best represents them, and this gender identity policy allows people to embrace who they are and bring their full selves to work.”
The announcement comes as research commissioned by the airline finds that enabling employees to express their true selves at work boosts happiness (65 per cent), increases mental wellbeing (49 per cent), creates a more positive workplace culture (36 per cent) and provides a better experience for customers (24 per cent).
Employees also reported feeling more accepted and comfortable when able to be their true selves at work (26%) and an increased sense of loyalty to their employer (21 per cent).
Despite these positive benefits, 25 per cent of Brits have felt pressure to hide their true selves at work, with 13% feeling uncomfortable making requests that enable them to express who they really are.
Brits have dressed differently (30 per cent) or in clothing they aren’t comfortable in (15 per cent), changed the way they style their hair or makeup (22 per cent) and covered up parts of their personality (38 per cent) all in an attempt to fit in.
The airline’s initiatives also include an update of its existing trans inclusion policies, which already allows time off for medical treatments related to gender transition, personal choice of changing and shower facilities that align with the gender a person identifies as and co-creation of a personalised transitioning plan.
Juha Jarvinen, Virgin Atlantic’s chief commercial officer, says: “At Virgin Atlantic, we believe that everyone can take on the world, no matter who they are. That’s why it’s so important that we enable our people to embrace their individuality and be their true selves at work. It is for that reason that we want to allow our people to wear the uniform that best suits them and how they identify and ensure our customers are addressed by their preferred pronouns.”
American Airlines (AA) has become the third major transatlantic airline to order Boom Overture supersonic jets, joining fellow customers United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.
AA's order of 20 Overture jets – with the option to purchase 40 more – means it is poised to own the largest supersonic commercial fleet. Last year, United Airlines ordered 15 of Overture aircraft, while Virgin Atlantic struck a deal with the supersonic jet manufacturer in 2016.
These orders come 20 years after commercial supersonic transatlantic travel first began, when Concorde took to the skies, travelling at a top speed of Mach 2.04. Boom Overture jets are designed to fly at up to Mach 1.7 over water - which is double the speed of today's commercial aircraft. The plane are slated for delivery from 2025 and expected to carry their first passengers in 2029.
Designed to carry between 65 and 80 passengers, Boom Overture has a range of 4,250 nautical miles. The four-engine supersonic plane is optimised for "speed, safety and sustainability", with features such as a contoured fuselage that boosts its fuel efficiency, gull wings that reduce that reduce noise pollution and engine stress, and its stabilising tail that improves balance and performance.
Boom says its Overture aircraft will also fly on "up to 100 per cent" Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The company aims to achieve net zero carbon dioxide by 2025 and net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
Boom Supersonic envisions Overture being able to fly more than 600 global commercial air travel routes in as little as half the time. For example. the jet will be able to fly from Miami to London in less than five hours (instead of nine hours), and Los Angeles to Honolulu in just under three hours (rather than approximately six hours).
Boom Supersonic’s Overture would give purchasing airlines a distinct speed advantage over competitors, and would drastically speed up journey time for transatlantic air travel (if deployed on routes between the US and the UK).
Under the new agreement with AA, before Boom Overture aircraft are delivered, they must meet industry standards for operations, performance and safety (among other conditions).
Derek Kerr, AA's chief financial officer, said: “Looking to the future, supersonic travel will be an important part of our ability to deliver for our customers. We are excited about how Boom will shape the future of travel both for our company and our customers.”
Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, said: “We are proud to share our vision of a more connected and sustainable world with American Airlines. We believe Overture can help American deepen its competitive advantage on network, loyalty and overall airline preference through the paradigm-changing benefits of cutting travel times in half.”
Canadian startup Transpod has unveiled Fluxjet – a hybrid train-aircraft concept that aims to disrupt global transportation by offering ultra high-speed ground transport powered by clean energy that's a more economic option than travelling by plane.
Born out of innovations in the scientific field of "veillaince flux", the all-electric Fluxjet travels along a protected guideway thanks to a contactless power transmission and aerodynamic and propulsion systems that reduce the amount of friction working against it.
The all-electric vehicle can reach speeds of 1000 km/ph (621 mph) making it faster than many private jets, and three times as fast as a high-speed train.
Transpod envisions Fluxjet operating exclusively on its own transport network – the Transpod line – with stations in key locations in major cities across the world. The goal is to offer high-frequency departures that will support fast, affordable and safe travel - one that's immune to traffic conditions, too.
Fluxjet has space for 54 passengers at once and two wheelchairs, as well as luggage racks for passenger bags (it can carry up to ten tonnes of cargo per trip).
As part of the next phase of development, Transpod is building the Transpod Line to connect the Canadian cities of Calgary and Edmonton – a project costing US$18 billion. Initial assessments for the the project have begun and, once it is underway, the line's construction will create 140,000 jobs and add US$19.2 billion to the region's GDP.
When it is fully operational to the public, the Transpod Line will cost 44 per cent less than a commercial plane ticket to travel the same route, and will reduce carbon emission by 636,000 tonnes per year, offering a sustainable and economically viable alternative to short-haul air travel.
Sebastien Gendron, co-founder and CEO of Transpod, says: “All the hard work over the past few years has led to this milestone moment where talk is becoming a reality. The technology is proven, and we have the confidence of investors, governments, and partners to continue pushing forward to redefine transportation effectively."
Currently set to launch in 2035, Fluxjet's impressive speed tops that of other high-speed ground transport concepts on the horizon, such as a recently announced world's fastest bullet train in China that will connect Shanghai and Beijing in four hours, and Virgin Hyperloop, which will travel at 600 miles per hour when it arrives in 2030.
Makr Shakr's robotic bartender, Toni, will serve up "delicious cocktails and electrifying moves to bridge the physical and digital domains" at Sandbox VR, a new venue where gaming, eating and drinking converge to create a new leisure experience in London. (Not to be confused with metaverse gaming platform The Sandbox.)
Opened last month in London's Covent Garden, Sandbox VR is a futuristic virtual reality playground for groups of up to six people, where you can "see and physically interact with everyone inside, just like the real world".
Upon entering, guests will be greeted by Makr Shakr’s most advanced robot Toni, which is covered in sensors that enable it to mimic the motions of a human mixologist, allowing it to prepare anything from a spritz to a negroni – at a rate of 80 drinks per hour – for visitors taking a break from VR gaming.
Once on-site, customers can order real cocktails with an app and see them being mixed by a pair of mechanical robot arms that have been designed by Makr Shakr. The company says that its automated bartender will "add a new dimension to the overall experience, highlighting the potential of robotics in leisure entertainment in the physical space".
Emanuele Rossetti, chief executive oficer for Makr Shakr, says: “We are delighted to be teaming up with one of the beacons in virtual reality entertainment. Makr Shakr endeavors to pioneer novel drink preparation approaches and more engaging, seamless scenarios of sociality. In this regard, Sandbox VR’s new London venue perfectly aligns with our vision.”
Andy Scanlon, co-founder and CEO of VR Entertainment Group, says: “When we first found Makr Shakr, we believed almost instantly that it shared the same philosophy as Sandbox VR: to deliver a unique shared experience centered on technology. As an avid fan of robotics, I believe robotically-shaken cocktails will contribute to the liveliness of any location.”
Sandbox VR is a fast-growing brand that curates immersive virtual entertainment sessions for groups of individuals. Visitors, wearing VR headsets, interact closely with one another in the simulated space while undertaking different challenges.
The company has already garnered attention through its branches in Hong Kong, Singapore and the US. The London venue is its first location in the British Isles, as it aims to open more branches in the UK and Ireland over the next few years.
Proof of digital technologies’ seamless entrance into everyday life, Makr Shakr is committed to forging disruptive experiences in the entertainment sector. Its robotic arms have been a driver in headline arts and cultural events around the world.
Notable appearances include the exhibition AI: More Than Human at the Barbican Centre, London, in which Toni faced off against prominent local mixologists in a cocktail making competition.
On another occasion, the brand’s mobile unit Bruno was dispatched to Rihanna’s concert in Budapest, Hungary, as it showed off its choreographed movements to complement the catchy songs of the world-renowned singer.
Launched in 2014, Makr Shakr is the world’s leading producer of robotic bartending systems. Based in Turin, Italy, but operating worldwide, the company aims to empower people with new robotic interactions.
The Makr Shakr bar system combines future robotics with Italian design roots – having been developed in the Italian birthplace of Vermouth. Makr Shakr makes customers the mixologists, allowing them to create their own cocktails while the robots perform each step of the mixing process according to their instructions.
After the production of the Bionic Bar, which has been serving cocktails in the most prestigious Royal Caribbean cruise ships and in malls and hotels internationally, the company launched Toni, the first robotic bartender catered for the mass market.
With this new product, the company aims to further encourage people to think about the changes introduced by today’s “robotisation” trend and the social implications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Over the last years, Makr Shakr’s robotic arms have served over one million perfectly crafted drinks, with a peak of 800 cocktails produced per night.
Up until now, there has been little update on Saudi Arabia's proposed smart city Neom but now the country has revealed a sci-fi promotional video of the Red Sea enclave's forthcoming centrepiece – the Line.
Looking like a shining glass wall, stretching 170km across the desert, the Line will take the form of two horizontal skyscrapers running parallel (Globetrender has dubbed it an "earthscraper"), inside of which will be homes for nine million residents.
However, its slender dimensions means it will occupy a footprint of just 34 sqkm, meaning it removes the problem of urban sprawl. Instead, it will spearhead a new concept of "zero gravity urbanism".
Inside will be forests, a marina, parks, schools, offices, a high-speed rail line, a sports stadium and vertical gardens where fruit and vegetables are harvested by robots. Residents will pay a subscription fee to have three meals a day.
Although the country's reputation has been mired by controversy associated with its poor human rights record, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is working hard to diversify the Gulf state’s oil-dependent economy and catalyse innovation, at all cost.
A promotional video for the Line says: "Imagine a traditional city and consolidating its footprint, designing to protect and enhance nature. We are building it to provide a more sustainable, healthier quality of life.
"The Line is designed as a series of unique communities providing equitable views and immediate access to the surrounding nature at the heart of the globe's key trade routes. A place for commerce and communities to thrive. The Line – the city that delivers new wonders for the world."
It goes on to say: "The Line's communities are organised in three dimensions. Residents have access to all their daily needs within five-minute walk neighbourhoods. And the Line's infrastructure means they will be able to travel end-to-end in 20 minutes, with no need for cars resulting in zero carbon emissions."
The structure will be 500 metres tall – taller than the Empire State building – but the top will be open to the air. The video states: "By leveraging AI technology, services are autonomous. Intelligent solutions create efficiency and a year-round temperate micro climate with natural ventilation. Energy and water supplies are 100 per cent renewable."
Undoubtedly the most extraordinary proposal for a building on Earth, the Line is being described as the planet’s most livable city “by far”. The Telegraph says it would be so long that it would even "have to 'bend to the curvature of the Earth". But with little progress to report on Neom since its intial announcement in 2017, will the Line remain a work of fiction?
The Guardian reports that Neom says it wants to create 380,000 jobs by the end of the decade “while providing the ultimate work-life balance”. Adding that although the city will operate "under its own founding law, which is still being prepared, Saudi officials say they have no plans to waive the kingdom’s alcohol ban".
Prince Mohammed says that phase one of the project, lasting until 2030, would cost 1.2 trillion Saudi riyals (about £265 billion) - quite a large portion of his US$620 billion (£516 billion) sovereign wealth fund. Ultimately, the Line could take 50 years to complete.
He said in a recent statement: “At the Line’s launch last year, we committed to a civilizational revolution that puts humans first based on a radical change in urban planning.
"The designs revealed today for the city's vertically layered communities will challenge the traditional flat, horizontal cities and create a model for nature preservation and enhanced human livability. The Line will tackle the challenges facing humanity in urban life today and will shine a light on alternative ways to live.
“We cannot ignore the livability and environmental crises facing our world’s cities, and Neom is at the forefront of delivering new and imaginative solutions to address these issues. Neom is leading a team of the brightest minds in architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality.
“Neom will be a place for all people from across the globe to make their mark on the world in creative and innovative ways. Neom remains one of the most important projects of Saudi Vision 2030, and our commitment to delivering the Line on behalf of the nation remains resolute.”
The highly anticipated premium economy class from Emirates will arrive this summer when the airline receives its new A380 aircraft. The cabin will be available on A380 routes to London Heathrow, Paris and Sydney from August, with Christchurch following in December.
This will make Emirates the only airline in the Middle East with a premium economy cabin. The product is said to rival some airlines' business class offering in terms of its onboard service, its seat and its in-flight experience.
Tim Clark, president of Emirates, says: "As with everything we do, Emirates Premium Economy will be exceptional in its class, with minute attention given to every aspect of the customer experience.
"Customers trading up from Economy will be getting excellent value. We currently have six A380s equipped with this cabin class, which limits our initial deployment, but our intention is to offer this experience to many more markets across our network." 
From November 2022, Emirates will begin retrofitting of 67 A380 planes and 53 Boeing 777 aircraft from its existing fleet with the premium economy cabin – creating 126 aircraft across its network that will offer the new product once the process is complete.
After making use of a dedicated check in area at Dubai International airport, premium economy passengers with Emirates will benefit from an elevated in-flight experience – with the standout feature being the comfort of the new cabin seat.
Configured in a 2-4-2 layout, and located towards the front of the plane, the cabin's cream quilted leather seats offer 40 inches of legroom as well as cushioned leg rests, adjustable pillowed headrests and a deeper recline than economy class.
The seat also has a retractable wood grain table that folds out from the side, and there is a side table for placing drinks.
Premium economy passengers will also benefit from a premium in-flight dining experience, with a monthly changing menu offering regional cuisine – served on Royal Doulton china – and extra options that aren't available to economy passengers.
In terms of in-flight entertainment (IFE), Emirates premium economy passengers have the same product as economy passengers. The new A380s, feature 13.3-inch HD screens, Emirates' new IFE system, a higher-speed wifi service than the airline's previous offering, and the option to connect passengers' headphones to the IFE via bluetooth.
Bansko Nomad Fest has returned for its 2022 edition, welcoming hundreds of digital nomads from all over to world to Bansko, Bulgaria.
Taking place between June 26 until July 3, 2022, the conference was created specifically for digital nomads, remote workers and freelancers. This year's festival has attracted more than 300 participants and 70 international guest speakers to the Bulgarian mountain town.
There will be a series of workshops, presentations and inspiring talks that explore topics such as finding remote work and becoming a digital nomad; the benefits and challenges of living the nomad lifestyle, creating and managing a homegrown online business (such as eCommerce, online courses and stock photography), and inspiring success stories of digital nomads.
Bansko Nomad Fest's talks, workshops, and presentations take place in the mornings, with the afternoons and evenings reserved for group activities such as hiking, rafting, mountain biking, speed dating, wine tours and networking.
There are also "unconference" sessions, where participants are invited to organise their own sessions to present what they do, or share one of their passions. This creates opportunities other participants over common interests and showcase expertise.
Organised by Coworking Bansko, Bansko Nomad Fest was founded in 2020, and returned last year by popular demand. Coworking Bansko hosts more than 100 digital nomads each year, providing them with a ready-made coworking community in the Bulgarian capital.
For a membership fee of €129 per month, users get 24/7 access to a number of coworking spaces around the city – including a social space, a tool room, a podcasting booth and hot desks with ergonomic chairs and high-speed internet.
Members are also invited to social events to meet likeminded people during their time in Bansko, such as movie nights, barbecues, camping trips and skillshare sessions.
Bansko's global reputation as a European digital nomad hub has grown since Matthias Zeitler opened Coworking Bansko in 2016. With its easy access to mountains, historical city centre, excellent skiing conditions during winter, and affordable prices, Bansko has been steadily attracting digital nomads ever since.
Zeitler says: "Bansko Nomad Fest is a week-long celebration of the nomad lifestyle. It's a combination of inspirational speakers, self-organised events, activities like wine-tasting or rafting, going to all the local restaurants here in Bansko enjoying tasty Bulgarian food, and bringing people together.
"We want to make sure everyeone connect with other nomads to either find business partners, travel buddies – maybe soul mates – and sample the Bansko lifestyle for the week and understand what's magical [about the city]."
On June 4, 2022, Blue Origin successfully completed its fifth human spaceflight – the 21st sub-orbital trip for its New Shephard rocket – and the passengers have shared what it felt like to be on board.
The astronaut crew on board Blue Origin's fifth civilian flight were Evan Dick, Katya Echazarreta, Hamish Harding, Victor Correa Hespanha, Jaison Robinson, and Victor Vescovo.
They bring the space company's total passengers to travel on its New Shephard spacecraft to 25. Now, a total of 627 people have flown above the US-recognised boundary of 50 miles separating earth from space.
All six members of the latest passenger crew agreed that their ten-minute sub-orbital journey was spectacular, and that looking back down on Earth from 66.5 miles above had a profound effect on them (something astronauts call the "Overview Effect").
Speaking to Space.com, Echazaretta – whose seat aboard New Shepard was the first to be sponsored by Space for Humanity's Civilian Astronaut Programme – said: "I can assure you that nobody can truly imagine it until they experience it. Even now, just thinking back kind of makes my eyes teary.
"As soon as I looked at our planet, I had just a single tear running down my face and I didn't even notice. I felt the wetness on my face and I touched it and I realised what was happening. It was just realising how connected we really are to our planet and how important it is for us to take care of what we have here."
Phil Joyce, senior vice-president of New Shephard, said: “It was an honour to fly this special crew of explorers and true pioneers today. Each mission is an opportunity to provide another six people the life-changing experience of witnessing the beauty and fragility of our planet from space. It’s one step in realising our vision of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth.”
Two members of the fifth Blue Origin human space flight - Hamish Harding and Victor Vescovo – have also set a world record by becoming the first ever crew to fly to space and dive to the bottom of the world.
Speaking to The Times, Vescovo, a submersible pilot, said: “I’ve had the privilege of going to the bottom of the five oceans… where it’s much more peaceful and serene and dark and mysterious. Going to space you can see the entire expanse of the Earth and all the people below us and it’s just extraordinary to see the two halves of the coin of our existence.”
Harding said: "The Earth was what I was waiting to see, and it was as spectacular as I had been told it would be. Looking down on Earth, we should all work a lot better together. That was the Overview Effect that I've heard about, and there is so much wasted effort on this planet not working together. The world [could] move forward so much faster and more productively if we all did."
Founded by Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin envisions a future where millions of people are living and working in space. The company is developing partially and fully reusable space craft that are relatively low-cost, with the aim of developing a model for more sustainable space travel.
Blue Origin is currently developing New Glenn, a rocket capable of carrying people and payloads to Earth's orbit and beyond, paving the way for industrial operations in space.
A report commissioned by climate charity Possible has found that just one in 50 airlines have met their climate targets, sparking debate about greenwashing through empty target setting.
Possible’s findings revealed that since 2000, practically every target set by the aviation industry has been missed, revised or overlooked. Researchers from sustainability agency Green Gumption compiled the report for Possible, having examined aviation climate targets that were set and due to end between 2000 and 2021.
The findings were that vague definitions of success, lack of transparency around monitoring, and inconsistent reporting made it difficult to assess and evaluate targets in a meaningful way. In addition, many targets within this 21-year period were altered, replaced or abandoned.
Where targets had been met, researchers found many of them to be lacking in the scale of their ambition to reduce the aviation sector’s environmental impact in a meaningful way.
For example, in 2007, the report found that Virgin Atlantic set a target to reduce its CO2 per revenue tonne kilometre (CO2/RTK) by 30 per cent by 2020.
In a 2014 sustainability report, the airline had achieved an 8 per cent reduction, and stated: “We’re nearly halfway through our target period and know we have to pick up the pace.”
When Virgin’s 2020 annual report was published, there was no longer a mention of its 2020 target. Then, in 2021, a press release from the airline announced a new market of “15 per cent gross reduction in CO2/RTK by 2026”.
Speaking to The Guardian, Leo Murray, Possible’s director of innovation, said: “This forensic investigation shows just how implausible and credulous the government’s jet-zero strategy is shaping up to be. How can we credibly expect this industry to overdeliver on emissions reduction when they’ve never met any of their previous climate targets?”
He added: “It’s clear that we need to demand reduction via a frequent flyer levy, which would discourage the frequent flying by a small group of people which makes up the bulk of emissions from planes.”
Possible is campaigning for a frequent flyer levy to be introduced, arguing that 70 per cent of flights are taken by just 15 per cent of the global population. The organisation envisions a levy that would see somebody who has travelled on their fourth annual flight pay a higher tax on their flight than another passenger on the same plane taking their first flight of the year.
In other news, KLM has been sued by environmental campaigners for greenwashing, who are accusing the airline of misleadingly promoting air travel as sustainable.
Lawyers from ClientEarth are supporting Netherlands-based campaign group Fossielvrij NL, to bring forth a claim that KLM’s advertising campaigns create a false impression of the sustainability of its flights and its plans to reduce its environmental impact.
The Fossielvrij NL activists are taking legal action against KLM’s Fly Responsibly campaign, which presents the airline as “creating a more sustainable future”. The campaign states that the airline is on track to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, outlining its plans to launch hydrogen and electric planes and level up the use of synthetic kerosene from 2035.
But the litigants argue that the aviation sector cannot reach net zero without limiting the overall number of flights, and therefore claims that KLM is violating European consumer law by misleading customers.
Speaking to The Guardian, Hiske Arts, a campaigner at Fossielvrij NL, says: “KLM’s marketing misleads consumers into believing that its flights won’t worsen the climate emergency. But this is a myth. Unchecked flying is one of the fastest ways to heat up the planet. Customers need to be informed and protected from claims that suggest otherwise.”
A previous KLM marketing campaign was called out by the Netherlands' advertising regulator for its use of the phrase: “Be a hero, flCO2 zero", which was encouraging customers to make use of KLM's carbon offsetting credits. The regulator found that while the scheme resulted in the offsetting of some emissions, this was not "adequate for the airline to claim carbon neutrality.
New renderings of a futuristic sustainable floating city have been revealed by UN-Habitat, the Busan Metropolitan City of the Republic of Korea and blue tech design company Oceanix. What's more, with construction beginning next year, it will soon become a reality.
What is the objective? Oceanix Busan seeks to provide a breakthrough solution for coastal cities facing severe land shortages compounded by the climate crisis.
Throughout the world, two in five people live within 100km of a coastline, and 90 per cent of megacities globally are vulnerable to rising sea levels - with flood damage to infrastructure costing billions of dollars, while displacing millions of climate refugees from their homes.
In cities with rapid population growth with no room to expand, residents are forced to move closer to the water, driving housing to costs to precarious levels, and forcing out those with the lowest incomes. Floating cities could help us adapt.
Philipp Hofmann, CEO of Oceanix, said: "Today is a pivotal milestone for all coastal cities and island nations on the frontlines of climate change. We are on track to delivering Oceanix Busan and demonstrating that floating infrastructure can create new land for coastal cities looking for sustainable ways to expand onto the ocean, while adapting to sea level rise.” 
New York-based Oceanix led a team of the world’s best designers, engineers, and sustainability experts in designing the flood-proof prototype. The BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group and SAMOO (owned by Samsung) were the lead architects behind Oceanix Busan, which was unveiled at the Second UN Roundtable on Sustainable Floating Cities.
The inaugural Roundtable took place in 2019, where an agreement was made to develop a prototype with a host city – and Busan signed up to become that city in 2021. With its location on the southeastern tip of South Korea's coast, its maritime way of life and its established marine engineering industry, Busan was a natural choice to deploy the floating city prototype.
Mayor Park Heong-joon has set an ambitious agenda to turn Busan into a green smart city and launch a bid for the city to host World Expo 2030. “We joined forces with UN-Habitat and Oceanix to be the first to prototype and scale this audacious idea because our common future is at stake in the face of sea level rise and its devastating impact on coastal cities,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Maimunah Mohd Sharif, executive director of UN-Habitat, said: “We cannot solve today’s problems with yesterday’s tools. We need to innovate solutions to global challenges. But in this drive for innovation, let’s be inclusive and equitable and ensure we leave no one and no place behind."
The world’s first prototype of a sustainable floating community, Oceanix Busan consists of 15.5 acres of
interconnected platforms to accommodate a community of 12,000 people. Each neighbourhood is designed to serve a specific purpose - be it residences, research hubs, or eco-friendly lodging – with 30,000 to 40,000 sqm of mixed-used space per platform. 
The floating platforms connect to land with link-span bridges, framing the sheltered blue lagoon of floating recreation, art, and performance venues. The low-rise buildings have soft lines, and terraces for indoor-outdoor living, which feed into Oceanix Busan's network of vibrant public spaces.
The plan is for Oceanix Busan to organically transform and adapt over time based on the needs of Busan. Starting from a community of 12,000 residents and visitors, it has the potential to expand to accommodate more than 100,000 people. 
The floating city prototype has six integrated systems that make it function: zero waste and circular systems, closed loop water systems, food, net zero energy, innovative mobility, and coastal habitat regeneration.
These interconnected systems will generate 100 per cent of the city's energy through floating and rooftop photovoltaic panels. Each neighbourhood will also treat and replenish its own water, reduce and recycle resources, and provide innovative urban agriculture – the floating platforms also have outposts and greenhouses.
Bjarke Ingels, founder and creative director, BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group, said: “Oceanix's modular maritime neighbourhood will be a prototype for sustainable and resilient cities. As our first manifestation of this new form of waterborne urbanism, Oceanix Busan will expand the city’s unique character and culture from dry land into the water around it.
"We believe Oceanix’s floating platforms can be developed at scale to serve as the foundations for future resilient communities in the most vulnerable coastal locations on the frontlines of climate change."
This year, an initial prototype of Air Yacht by Italy's Lazzarini Design Studio is set to take to the skies – in pursuit of pushing forward with a new era of sustainable aviation.
Filled with helium gas – which is lighter than air – the Air Yacht concept is designed as two airships connected by carbon-fibre bridges on each side, which keep the structure rigid enough to fly and land with high stability.
On the lower side of each airship is an "inflatable basement", which is capable of supporting Air Yacht once it lands upon water.
Air Yacht's twin airship concept – named my Lazzarini as "catamaran blimps – allows for the largest volume of blimp ever obtained in the aviation sector, creating a new advantage and exciting opportunity for a sustainable mode of long-distance air transport that could stay in the air for as long as two days. It even has an onboard swimming pool, as well as ten bedrooms and a helipad. 
Designed to be constructed and furnished with dry carbon fibre structures, the 150-metre sky-yacht can adapt to being air- or sea-bourne. The airship also has eight 950 hp propellors powered by ultra-light batteries and solar panels, making it an entirely emission-free way to fly, and capable of reaching speeds of up to 60 knots (70 miles per hour).
The inflatable basement of each blimp can be used to float upon landing on water, but can also be filled with helium instead, which can be released during take-off when the Air Ship is at sea – a de-pressurisation process that lifts the vehicle into the air. 
Alternatively Air Yacht can also sail quietly upon the water by using the same engines it uses to fly, travelling at a speed of approximately 5 knots.
The gases inside Air Yacht can be released depending on the elevation required. Lazzarini is aiming for there to be 425,000 sqm of volume of helium inside each blimp of Air Yacht – the company has been researching the potential hydrogen-helium mixture possibilities that could help reduce the proportion of helium used to lift Air Yacht, and decrease the diameter of each of its blimps.
Each blimp is divided into a number of hive areas, or cells, which allows for gas compartment to be isolated in case of an emergency, or damage.
Rather than being intended as a mode of public transport or for commercial tourism purposes, Air Yacht has been envisioned as a next-generation private jet-slash-megayacht. As you can see, guests will experience previously unimaginable levels of luxury.
The central area of Air Yacht has a spacious living room with a dining area. On each side, there are five passenger suites with sky window views, which a special suite for the owner of the ship is situated at the centre, complete with 360-degree views of the surrounding sky.
The Airlander 10 from Hybrid Air Vehicles is also coming in the next couple of years, and promises to enable peaceful air cruises over the wonders of the world.
It will be able to stay airborne for up to five days at a time, is “exceptionally quiet”, and has a typical operating altitude of up to 10,000ft (much lower than commercial planes). It will be certified to fly in all weather conditions and will be able to take off and land from almost any flat surface. But it was be able to sail on water.
On May 24, Transport for London (TfL) unveiled the long-awaited Elizabeth train line (named after the Queen) that stretches 100km from Reading and Heathrow airport in the west through central London tunnels across to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.
The new railway built by Crossrail Ltd will stop at 41 accessible stations – ten of them new – and is expected to serve up to 200 million people each year.
From autumn 2022, the lines from Reading, Heathrow and Shenfield will connect with the central tunnels. This means customers travelling from Reading and Heathrow will be able to travel east all the way to Abbey Wood without changing at Paddington. Full services across the route will be in operation by May 2023.
20 years in the making, the new £18.8 billion line now connects stations such as Paddington (from where the Heathrow Express departs) and Canary Wharf financial district in just 17 minutes – a journey that takes more than 30 minutes on the Tube – transforming how locals and visitors are able to move through the city.
To go from Woolwich to Paddington now takes just 31 minutes, a journey that would take 80 minutes or more in a car. Services start with 12 trains an hour (a train every five minutes) running between Paddington and Abbey Wood from 0630-2300, Monday to Saturday. (Connections to Heathrow will come later.)
The Elizabeth line also provides a direct link between Abbey Wood and central London destinations including Liverpool Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon and Bond Street. (Work is ongoing at Bond Street Elizabeth line station, and it will not open to customers until later this year).
Six Elizabeth line trains per hour serve Heathrow Terminals: four travel to Terminals 2, 3 and 4, and two go to Terminals 2, 3 and 5. Services from London Paddington to Heathrow run every 30 minutes, with a journey time of about 35 minutes. Free shuttle services run from Terminals 2 and 3 to Terminal 5 with a journey time of six minutes.
The Elizabeth line will improve the ease of travel across London and the South East by speeding up transport links, cutting down journey times, increasing capacity, and improving accessibility – with spacious new stations and walk-through trains.
All stations along the Elizabeth line will be staffed from the first train until the last, with a “turn up and go” service offered to anyone needing assistance. Each station along the line from Paddington to Woolwich also offers step-free access from street to platform level.
Changes have also been made to 14 bus routes to improve links to Elizabeth line stations in east and South East London.
Over the next few weeks, signage for the Elizabeth line will be rolled out across the network in the run-up to customer service beginning to take place. London’s Tube and Rail map will also be redesigned and released soon to include the new central section stations connected to the rest of the TfL network.
The Elizabeth line will initially operate as three separate railway services from Reading, Heathrow and Shenfield, which will connect with the line’s central tunnels from this autumn.
Elizabeth line customers travelling between Shenfield and the central section of the route will need to change trains at Liverpool Street, walking to/from the new Elizabeth line Liverpool Street station.
Those going gtom Reading or Heathrow and the central section will need to change trains at Paddington, walking to/from the new Paddington Elizabeth line station. No changes are needed to go from Paddington to Abbey Wood.
Services that currently operate under TfL Rail between Reading and Heathrow to London Paddington, and Sheffield to London Liverpool Street, will be rebranded as part of the Elizabeth line.
Customers travelling from Heathrow airport or Reading into London will initially need to change at Paddington to access the central section of the Elizabeth line route (the same applies to this travelling from Shenfield to Liverpool Street).
However, from this autumn, services from Heathrow, Reading and Sheffield will connect with the central tunnels, and journey frequencies will increase to 22 trains per hour during peak hours (between Paddington and Whitechapel).
The new line will operate 12 trains per hour between Paddington and Abbey Wood from Monday to Saturday, from 6.30am to 11pm. On Sundays, engineering work will continue on the line, as well as testing and software updates to gear up for more intensive services from Autumn 2022.
The Elizabeth line is an important step in London’s post-Covid recovery, and its strategy to avoid a car-led strategy to regenerate the economy, by providing a greener travel travel option. It’s estimated the new rail infrastructure will add £42 billion to the UK economy.
Andy Byford, commissioner for TfL, said: "The opening day is set to be a truly historic moment for the capital and the UK, and we look forward to showcasing a simply stunning addition to our network.”
Customers can plan their journey using the new line using the TfL Go app and Journey Planner.
Not so long ago, Virgin Atlantic cabin crew had a strict dress code that included high heels, skirts and lipstick for women. However, in 2019, founder Richard Branson began issuing female crew with trousers and allowed them shun make-up if they so chose. Now the airline is going even further with a heartening new advertising campaign.
Virgin Atlantic says the advert "champions the rich individuality of the airline’s people and customers, building on research showing that travellers find most airlines’ crew to be impersonal in their service". Now, Virgin Atlantic crew are encouraged to be their "true selves" on board and on the ground. "They don’t follow a script and are seen to offer a more personal touch."
Created with newly appointed advertising agency Lucky Generals, the campaign introduces the end line “See the world differently”, drawing on the "airline’s heritage of challenging the status quo, as well as recognising that the travel industry is entering an exciting new era", says Virgin Atlantic.
The 60-second TV ad, which focuses on a group of charismatic characters, at an airport and on board an A350-1000 plane, is set to the song “I am what I am” – a track made famous by Gloria Gaynor but reinterpreted here by breakthrough Jazz/Soul artist Lady Blackbird.
There is also a print campaign made up of shots of Virgin Atlantic crew and customers, with lines championing their individuality. These include a confident businesswoman saying “I am my own captain”, a family arriving for their holiday saying “A crew like no other” and a female Captain with the line “Born to fly”.
You can watch a behind-the-scenes making of the TV ad here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5lnQHQ39Ho&feature=youtu.be
Shai Weiss, Virgin Atlantic CEO, says: “At the core of our business is the understanding that every one of our people can be themselves at work and that they belong. They truly are the thing that sets us apart and the reason customers choose to fly with us. We know that the touchpoints that matter most and the experiences that differentiate Virgin Atlantic, are driven by our people and that’s why it was so important they’re at the heart of this campaign.”
Annabelle Cordelli, vice-president, brand and marketing at Virgin Atlantic, says: “It’s more important than ever that we reimagine the world and lead the way with fresh ideas. Virgin Atlantic is uniquely placed to do this because of the rich individuality of our people and our customers: the unique people who march to their own drumbeat, fly their own path, see things from a different angle. So it makes sense to start by championing them – and then apply this spirit to everything we do. After two challenging years when life has been on pause, it’s time to see the world differently.”
Virgin Atlantic has recently reinstated its full portfolio of US destinations for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, flying to destinations including New York, Los Angeles Miami, San Francisco, Orlando, Boston, Washington, and Seattle and looks forward to launching new services to Austin, Texas on May 25, 2022.
Later in the year, Virgin Atlantic will also take delivery of its newest aircraft, the A330neo, a "crucial step" in Virgin Atlantic’s fleet transformation programme creating one of the youngest, greenest fleets in the sky and also taking its onboard experience to new heights.
Founded in 2019, expedition cruise line Secret Atlas has launched several "micro cruises" for just 12 guests to discover the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard.
Secret Atlas's smaller ships offer a more eco-friendly alternative to larger ships visiting the polar regions in increasing numbers. The company's intimate voyages are targeted at travellers seeking authentic adventure in the Arctic and Antarctica as part of a small group expedition.
Passengers travel on board ice-strengthened, purpose-built expedition vessels with greater manoeuvrability than larger cruise ships, which gives access to remote corners of unspoilt wilderness, and gets travellers closer to wildlife and fascinating historical locations.
In addition, there is space for all guests in the Zodiacs, meaning everyone can head ashore together (rather than waiting on board for their turn), maximising the time spent exploring the polar environment at an unhurried pace.
The micro cruises also offer the one of the best-in-industry ratios between guides and guests (1:6) so travellers receive high-quality service from the Secret Atlas team.
Among the new micro cruises is Natural Wonders of Svalbard, a ten-day expedition on board M/V Villa with departures from the Arctic town of Longyearbyen during May, June, July and August – timed to experience the natural phenomenon of 24-hour daylight.
The cruise is priced from £6,800 per person for full board in twin cabin with bunk beds (bathrooms are shared with one other cabin.)
Aside from being of the best places in the world to see polar bears, Svalbard is also home to walrus, whales, Arctic foxes, reindeer and an array of bird species, making it an attractive destination for wildlife enthusiasts, environmentalists and photographers.
Another option for shutterbugs, Secret Atlas's nine-day Natural Wonders of Svalbard Photo Tours will take place during May 2022 and 2023, accompanied by Arctic wildlife photographer Chase Teron.
During the micro cruise, Chase will share his skills and expertise with guests and support them in taking the best wildlife shots possible during their journey, with photography workshops and feedback sessions included in the price of the trip. The voyage is priced from £7,000 per person.
There is also the option to charter a private cruise with Secret Atlas. Groups and families of up to 12 people can board one of the company's microvessels for a customised private motor yacht expedition to Svalbard that lasts between eight and 15 days.
Available between May and September, these private expeditions – led by an experienced team – can incorporate walrus haul-outs, wilderness hikes, calving glaciers capitivating scenery and rich wildlife. Prices for a private cruise with Secret Atlas are shared on application, and itineraries can be tailored to suit all fitness levels.
Included in the price of all Secret Atlas voyages is the knowledge and expertise shared by on-board expedition leaders who are passionate about the polar regions, as well as lectures on the areas visited; use of Zodiacs boats; full board accommodation in a twin cabin, dinner (with alcohol); and return transfers to Longyearbyen.
As part of a joint venture with Smart Group, Oceandiva London will be the largest floating events space on the Thames, measuring 86 metres in length and spanning three decks capable of hosting large-scale parties on water.
The vessel will feature state-of-the-art architectural design with the latest marine technology featuring noise-reducing electric engines and superior soundproofing. Not only that but it will be carbon neutral.
Designed to appeal to both UK and international clients, the ship will be able to host everything from receptions and gala dinners, to cutting-edge product launches and brand activations. In total it will be able to accommodate up to 1,500 guests standing and or 600 seated.
Whether moored or sailing, the internal height of the ship allows for huge production values and the exterior space gives guests a unique opportunity to view the London skyline from the water. (Event guests will be able to embark and disembark Oceandiva London from London Bridge, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, Greenwich and ExCel.)
Designed, built and owned by Oceandiva, founded by Edwin Petersen in 2003 in the Netherlands, the ship will be the first London venture outside of mainland Europe from the group who are well established in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium with clients including Porsche, L'Oréal, Microsoft, Dior and Jaguar.
Petersen says: "We have had great success in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany so we are incredibly excited to launch our first concept in London which we believe will be the hottest venue in the capital. London is undeniably one of the most attractive cities for overseas visitors and we are looking forward to hosting extraordinary celebrations on board."
The trading company of Oceandiva London will be owned, managed and operated by the UK’s leading events and hospitality supplier, Smart Group, who deliver over 600 events each year from international sporting and cultural events, including Royal Ascot Village and Lord’s to corporate and charitable functions for the NSPCC, Google and Adobe.
The ship will be catered by London’s leading caterer, Moving Venue, Smart Group’s own catering brand, which has a 38-year history and counting, who are longstanding catering partners at over 50 unique venues including Historic Royal Palaces and the Natural History Museum.
Moving Venue will work in partnership with luxury catering company Last Supper, who were recently acquired by Smart Group, who boast an enviable portfolio of clients such as Gucci, Breitling, Sotheby’s and Mont Blanc, alongside a variety of private clientele.
Greg Lawson, CEO of Smart Group, says: "We are excited to bring a spectacular and stylish new events venue to London, one that raises the bar for luxury venues on the Thames in terms of its quality and sustainability credentials.
"Oceandiva London will provide an entirely unique alternative for discerning delegates and private party organisers. Our unique position as leaders in venue ownership, event management and catering services make Smart Group the ideal operators of Oceandiva London."
Design firm PriestmanGoode, Flying Disabled and SWS Certification have together unveiled Air 4 All, a patented design that allows airlines to increase access for passengers in wheelchairs whilst retaining the existing seat count.
Air 4 All has been initially designed for a 2+2 configuration on a narrowbody plane. The Air 4 All system is designed to convert front row seats and install a wheelchair guidance and locking system to the aircraft, allowing for up to two wheelchairs per row to travel on a single flight.
Air 4 All system is designed to be compatible with a wide range of airline seats and powered wheelchair types, and the creators are currently working with "a subsidiary of a major airline" to bring the product to market. A debut prototype of the Air 4 All system is expected in December 2021.
The launch coincides with the 35th anniversary of the Air Carriers Access Act, passed by US Congress in 1986 to guarantee that people with disabilities would receive consistent and nondiscriminatory treatment when travelling by air.
Air 4 All works in a similar way to ISOFIX/LATCH standards in passenger cars. Both the airline seats and wheelchairs facilitate an installation and attachment system, enabling them to be securely installed in the aircraft cabin.
The system is designed so that different powered wheelchair types can be certified for flying and will be able to interface with a wide range of airline seats. If no wheelchairs require access, the seats function as regular airline seats.
Paul Priestman, designer and chairman of PriestmanGoode, says: “Air 4 All will usher in a step change in the industry and finally offer equal access to comfort, safety and dignity for all passengers. The biggest barrier in the past has been that giving greater space to passengers in wheelchairs would have reduced seat count and resulted in a loss of revenue for airlines.
"Air 4 All solves this problem and has the added benefit of enabling airlines to retain the design of their cabin on every seat, ensuring brand consistency and a cohesive brand experience for all passengers. Air 4 All will facilitate a smoother boarding and disembarking experience for passengers with reduced mobility and will also significantly reduce the number of wheelchairs that are damaged through poor handling.”
As well as driving practical improvements to the aircraft cabin and overall aviation transport experience for severely disabled people, the team behind Air 4 All wants to "disrupt the air travel industry and create a new standard for the provision of accessible air travel".
The consortium will be working alongside Sunrise Medical to establish those powerchairs that would be fit to fly, as well as to retrofit and create new standards for powered wheelchairs, thus enabling passengers with the most challenging disabilities to travel.
Chris Wood, founder of Flying Disabled, says: “Air 4 All is the first system that has been developed jointly by a design agency, a certification body and with input from the disabled community. With a leading global wheelchair manufacturer as well as the subsidiary of a major airline on board to develop the product, it’s a truly collaborative project.
"We’re actively working with all the necessary parties, including initial discussions with some of the key National Aviation Authorities, to ensure our solution is harmonised and fit for purpose, thus significantly improving the travel experience for severely disabled passengers.”
An innovative collaboration between Facebook and Ray-Ban, Ray-Ban Stories sunglasses can take photographs and videos of whatever the wearer is seeing, as well as play music and make phone calls, with sound emitted through tiny hidden speakers.
Starting from £299 a pair, Ray-Ban Stories specs come in five different colourways and three styles including Round and Meteor. Consumers can also choose specific lenses such as sun, prescription, polarised, gradient, Transitions and clear.
Unveiled in September 2021, the sunglasses also have two five-megapixel cameras built into the front of the frames that can be operated by tapping a button on the side to record video or take a picture. Wearers can also say “Hey Facebook, take a video” to activate it hands free.
To warn people that Ray-Ban Stories users are recording or taking photos, Facebook says a small LED light will come on.
Ray-Ban Stories also have hidden microphones and "open-ear" speakers that can play music or podcasts that are only discernable to the wearer. Ray-Ban owner Essilor Luxottica says the sunglasses weigh only five grams more than its usual models.
Most interesting is the fact that Ray-Ban Stories come with a companion app, Facebook View (iOS and Android), creating an "easy way to import, edit and share content captured on the smart glasses with the ability to upload on any social app stored on all smartphones: Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, Twitter, TikTok, Snapchat and more".
Why the partnership with Facebook? Apparently the sunglasses are part of the social media giant's plans to create gadgets that enable people to stay in the digital world without having to get out their phones.
Mark Zuckerberg, the company’s chief executive, says: “This is just the start. Ray-Ban Stories are an important step towards a future when phones are no longer a central part of our lives and you won’t have to choose between interacting with a device or interacting with the world around you.”
Rocco Basilico, chief wearables officer at EssilorLuxottica, says: “We are incredibly proud to bring Ray-Ban Stories to life with our partners at Facebook. This is a milestone product that proves consumers don’t have to choose between technology and fashion – they can live in the moment and stay connected while wearing their favorite style of Ray-Ban’s.
"Our unique approach, combining decades of superior craftsmanship, a dedicated spirit of innovation and a commitment to delivering only cutting edge technology has resulted in a wearable that people will truly love wearing.”
Andrew Bosworth, vice-president of Facebook Reality Labs, says: “Ray-Ban Stories is designed to help people live in the moment and stay connected to the people they are with and the people they wish they were with.
"EssilorLuxottica has been nothing short of stellar in this partnership and through their commitment to excellence we were able to deliver on both style and substance in a way that will redefine the expectations of smart glasses. We're introducing an entirely new way for people to stay connected to the world around them and truly be present in life's most important moments, and to look good while doing it."
Back in 2019, Snap Inc announced the launch of Spectacles 3. The smart sunglasses come with dual HD cameras designed to capture the world in 3D and cost £330.
Described as an "industry first", Emirates' new VR app for the Oculus headset provides "accurate, life-size and interactive cabin interior experiences" onboard Emirates' flagship A380 aircraft and Boeing 777-300ER Gamechanger plane.
Available via the Emirates app, as well as the Oculus store for Oculus Rift users, Emirates has taken the next step in its ambition to reach and engage audiences around the world with cutting-edge VR technology.
Created in partnership with technology company Renacen, Emirates' customers can navigate economy, business and first class cabins, explore their seats and even the famous Shower Spa on the A380 using "navigational hotspots".
Users can "pick up" items from the lounge, "turn on" the shower in the Shower Spa, and "close" the private suite doors behind them. They can even go in the cockpit. (Emirates is working on an updated version featuring its premium economy cabin and latest A380 aircraft interiors.)
To help prepare for a flight, users can look at their seats before checking in online with a 3D seat map. The tool allows people to navigate from one seat to another, and even allows them to book their preferred seats from within the 3D environment.
Users can also enjoy hands-free cabin navigation and seat selection by using any VR headset like Google Cardboard. This award-winning technology is compatible with all devices without the need for external applications or plugins.
In the future, Emirates plans to offer customers the ability to explore destinations, select a cabin, and book and pay for their Emirates flight from within the Emirates Oculus VR app.
Boutros Boutros, Emirates' divisional senior vice-president of corporate communications, marketing and brand, says: "Emirates aims to provide innovative and outstanding customer experiences whether onboard, on the ground, or in the digital space.
"In 2018, we were the world's first airline to introduce advanced web VR technology on our digital platforms, offering our customers an immersive opportunity to learn about the fantastic Emirates experience that awaited them before they stepped on board.
We've continued to invest and develop that experience, and today we are delighted to be the first airline to launch a fully-fledged Oculus VR app. This initiative expands our global reach and ability to engage with our audiences across digital platforms.
"It is also particularly relevant right now, as many people have not travelled for a while due to the pandemic, and are seeking inspiration and researching and rediscovering their flight options."
After raising £2.9 million in investment from leading venture capital funds, Otherworld has unveiled a second sci-fi gaming venue in London, this time in Victoria. (The original site is Otherworld Haggerston.)
Otherworld says it is popular among celebrities such as Adele, Skepta, Jonathan Ross and KSI, and this new portal for VR gaming features upgraded immersion pods and a self-serve bar with alcohol on tap.
Guests at the new Otherworld Victoria location earn DreamCoin as they play the virtual reality games, a virtual currency that discounts more VR time or drinks from the self-serve bar. Ten taps are on offer, including Asahi, Peroni, Tiny Rebel and premium cocktails from Black Lines.
Otherworld says its private gaming pods (suitable for groups of up to eight people) have so far transported more than 60,000 people since 2019 to a virtual paradise island where they can enjoy 16 of the best immersive gaming, arts and education experiences.
"Feel the breeze blowing through your hair and the ground beneath your feet, as we use the power of heat, wind and rumble in 360 degrees to heighten the realism and immersive nature of the virtual world, giving you a new level of escape," says Otherworld on its website.
It adds: "Our experiences and games can be found in four distinct regions of the island: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.
"Spring is best for first-timers while Winter is better suited to more confident gamers. Whether you're new to VR or a gaming pro, there'll be something you'll enjoy."
A 40-minute session for one person costs £15-£31. (Be warned that VR gaming can sometimes make you feel dizzy and nauseous, though.)
"Our second location is a first-class departure lounge to a parallel universe," says Ed Wardle, chief creative officer. "We're excited to welcome our guests to an awe-inspiring, projection-mapped space where they can prepare for their journey into virtual reality and swap stories once they've returned."
The new location is part of a wider expansion. "We've been spurred on by fantastic guest feedback and strong trading results," says Chris Adams, chief executive officer, "and are working to take Otherworld to new cities across the UK."
Virgin Hotels, the lifestyle hotel brand by Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, opened the Virgin Hotels New Orleans on August 18, 2021, in the city’s Warehouse District. As you'd hope from this innovative company, the hotel works hard to do things better – and with a sense of humour.
Designed by New Orleans design firm Logan Killen Interiors, Virgin Hotels says that local art, historical detailing and Art Deco-inspired elements woven throughout "evoke a sense of old-world meets modern luxury".
Ranging from 27 sqm to 102 sqm the hotel has 238 Chambers, Grand Chamber Suites, a Penthouse Suite, and Richard's Penthouse Flat – an apartment with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking downtown New Orleans.
All rooms feature Virgin Hotels' signature layout with two distinct spaces. Designed to make the best use of space and promote privacy for guests, each "Chamber" is separated by a pair of panelled doors, a nod to the French doors commonly seen in New Orleans interiors and offering a more "residential" look and feel. 
On one side is the Dressing Room, which includes a full vanity, makeup desk with a well-lit mirror, plus an extra-large shower with a bench and Red Flower toiletries, and a closet for two.
On the other side is the Lounge, which features Virgin Hotels' patented ergonomically designed "lounge bed", which features a padded headboard and chair back built on to one corner for people to sit against with a book or laptop. Dog beds are also provided.
There is also a red SMEG mini-fridge stocked with "street-priced" food and drink (suggesting there is no mark-up), an HD TV, yoga mat and "café worktable" with a rattan base and tempered glass, which is placed in front of a built-in window (or facing a banquette between two twin beds, as below). (Globetrender approves of this – so often hotels place workdesks by the wall.)
Rooms also have plenty of sockets for charging smartphones and laptops, as well as custom lighting on sensors that automatically illuminates the space when guests move. Mobile app LUCY can also be used to control the lighting, thermostats, TVs and order room service. Wifi is free – regardless of bandwidth
How much does a stay cost? The cheapest rate including taxes in September 2021 was US$217 a night. 
Dining and partying also plays a big part in the Virgin Hotels New Orleans experience. On the 13th-floor is the Dreamboat cocktail bar.
There is also the Pool Club – a rooftop pool, restaurant and bar; and ground-floor Commons Club, the brand’s flagship restaurant, bar and lounge. Virgin Hotels describes this as the "social epicenter" of the property, designed to feel like a "members-only social club but open to all".
The Commons Club consists of three areas: the Bar, the Kitchen (featuring an indoor porch for dining) and the Shag Room (an "intimate private space with a playful vibe suitable for small groups").
The restaurant serves contemporary Southern cuisine with Mediterranean influences. There will also be live music, game day programming and themed brunches.
Meanwhile, the Funny Library Coffee Shop is a communal workspace with an "assortment of games and whimsical and funny books curated from local book shops". Coffee served is by La Colombe. The hotel also has a light and airy 24-hour gym on the third floor.
Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, says: “Each of our hotels embrace the local flavor of the cities they are in, and Virgin Hotels New Orleans is certainly a fun one.
"The city’s welcoming spirit, exciting entertainment, and incredible culinary scene are all things we are excited to bring to life through our hotel. We look forward to becoming a gathering place for the entire community and a destination for both locals and visitors alike."
James Bermingham, chief executive officer of Virgin Hotels, says: “This beautiful, new hotel will offer the distinctive ‘Virgin’ experience travellers know and love, from our inviting Chambers to our dynamic food and beverage offerings.
"But we also have a real made-in-New Orleans ethos at play here, from the art and design throughout the hotel to the personalized experience we provide our guests through The Know loyalty program and our LUCY mobile app. Virgin Hotels New Orleans will surely offer a window into a city waiting to be explored.”
Guests can sign up for the brand-wide guest preferences and loyalty program The Know to unlock a personalised stay, exclusive use of the LUCY app, member rate discounts, room upgrades, unique dining and event experiences, and a free cocktail hour called "the Spirit Hour."
SE Aeronautics says that the "super-efficient" subsonic SE200 jet would be able to transport 264 passengers at a speed of Mach 0.9 (just under the speed of sound at Mach 1) with a range of 10,560 miles (the approximate distance of London to Sydney).
The wide-body SE200 would be a 100 per cent molded all-composite plane, with its most standout feature being six wings, three on each side of its fuselage in a "tri-wing" configuration. But what is most significant is its claim that it could fly with a far lower carbon footprint than similar traditional planes.
The patent-pending SE200 would apparently reduce CO2 production by an estimated 80 per cent per seat kilometer and reduce fuel use by an estimated 70 per cent. SE Aeronautics says: "This means we will go from using 100 billion gallons of fuel (2019) to 30 billion gallons of fuel when our airframes are fully implemented."
It also says that electric or hydrogen engine systems would work with "absolute efficiently when using our designed airframe".
How will SE Aeronautics achieve these engineering feats? The harder an aircraft has to work – such as during take-off and climb down, or in terms of the weight it is carrying – the more fuel it burns.
This has been addressed by its "high-lift" wings that contribute to greater fuel efficiency and shorter take-offs, assisted by a highly streamlined overall design with minimal drag.
The SE200 would also be safer for passengers. Unlike other aircraft that feature engines in the middle of the plan, on the SE200 they would be mounted on the rear, meaning less chance of birds going into them and causing a failure. The single-piece fuselage would also be less likely to break in two.
Meanwhile, fuel would be stored in a "bladder" atop the fuselage, instead of in the wings, allowing it to float for longer periods in the air in the event of an emergency water landing.
In terms of passenger health in the age of Covid, it has also created a patent-pending "once-through air feed ventilation" meaning air is not recycled.
Although airlines would have the opportunity to install their own preference of seating, SE Aeronautics suggests a 2-4-2 economy class arrangement with a generous 32 inches of legroom.
Tyler Mathews, CEO of SE Aeronautics, was quoted on Design Boom as saying: "This aircraft will be the most practical, profitable and permanent solution to the grossly underperforming airliner technology of today.
"Our manufacturing efficiency will allow us to produce our aircraft in significantly less time than the current traditional method. but the jewel in the crown is really our ability to get that fuel consumption rate down by 70 per cent. we are going to revolutionise the industry."
Just eight days after Richard Branson successfully flew to space aboard his Virgin Galactic spacecraft, Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos completed his company's first human-crewed mission to the heavens - funded by sales from his other company Amazon. Ascending on a rocket rather than a space plane, the round-trip took just ten minutes, compared to Branson's, which was just over an hour.
Blue Origin's suborbital rocket, New Shepard, features a detachable capsule on its nose that in this case accommodated four private citizens.
Joining Jeff Bezos was his brother Mark; 82-year-old Wally Funk, a pilot who trained for NASA's Mercury programme in the 1960s but was denied the chance to go into space because she was a woman; and 18-year-old Dutch student Oliver Daemen, who won a seat on Blue Origin in an auction (the first-place winner paid US$28 million for a ticket but couldn't fly because of a "scheduling conflict", it was reported).
Not only was Daemen the first-ever commercial astronaut to purchase a ticket and fly to space on a privately-funded and licensed space vehicle from a private launch site, but the youngest person to fly in space. Meanwhile, Funk was the oldest person to go into space.
The Blue Origin passengers all officially became astronauts when they passed the Kármán Line, 62 miles up (or 50 miles according to NASA), which is the internationally recognised boundary of space. (Virgin Galactic went 53 miles up.) Interestingly, there was no pilot or crew on board – the flight was all controlled remotely.
The Blue Origin capsule ultimately reached a point 66 miles up, allowing passengers to unbuckle their seat belts for a few minutes of weightlessness – they did back flips, tossed each other Skittles sweets and whooped with joy.
The unit then returned to Earth using a trio of parachutes and a retro-thrust system expelling a "pillow of air" for a cushioned landing. Upon touchdown in the dusty Texan desert, the astronauts were greeted by their families and Blue Origin’s ground operations team for a celebration. Champagne was uncorked and sprayed enthusiastically.
“Today was a monumental day for Blue Origin and human spaceflight,” said Bob Smith, CEO of Blue Origin. “I am so incredibly proud of Team Blue, their professionalism, and expertise in executing today’s flight. This was a big step forward for us and is only the beginning.”
Blue Origin expects to fly two more crewed flights this year, with many more crewed flights planned for 2022. With ticket sales opening not long after Blue Origin landed, so far it has sold more than US$100 million worth of seats, although the actual cost of one person going up has not yet been revealed.
Despite criticism from environmentalists, Blue Origin employs a reusable suborbital rocket system, so the rocket actually descends back down to Earth ready for another mission. It's carbon footprint is also very low because it is fuelled with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen so the main emission is water and almost no CO2 at all.
Jeff Bezos also said after the flight that he was going to be splitting his time between Blue Origin and the Bezos Earth Fund, which is dedicated to fighting climate change. He set it up last year with a US$10 billion investment.
With vacations abroad soon legally permissable, Virgin Atlantic conducted a survey of 1,000 British flyers to ask what "sights and sounds of flying" they missed the most.
Apparently, 82 per cent of respondents missed the pilot speaking over the PA and 78 per cent missed the tinkling sound of the drinks trolley coming down the aisle more than anything else.
At the same time, 76 per cent missed watching in-flight TV shows and movies, 73 per cent missed being welcomed on board by cabin crew and 72 per cent missed the in-flight meal experience. 57 per cent of those surveyed even missed gliding through the airport on the travellator on the way to their boarding gate.
Of course, the resulting "AMSR" video that the airline produced is just a marketing stunt, but here at Globetrender we like companies that have a sense of humour and are embracing cultural trends in creative ways.
Virgin Atlantic says: "Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is a phenomenon where a person gets a tingling sensation, often starting on the scalp and moving down the neck and spine. This physiological response can be triggered by a number of sights and sounds including whispering, isolated sounds such as tapping and beautiful or 'oddly satisfying' imagery."
The airline's new video aims to deliver this "tingly feeling" in viewers by fetishising the "bing-bong of the call bell, the click shut of the seatbelt and the evocative pop of the champagne cork" on planes. And we think they have done a pretty good job.
When it came to sights and sounds on vacation, 94 per cent of survey respondents said it was waves lapping on a beach that they missed the most.
Corneel Koster, chief customer and operating officer for Virgin Atlantic, says: “We have missed looking after our customers onboard this past year and cannot wait to welcome them back once restrictions are lifted and travel resumes at scale.
"At Virgin Atlantic, we pride ourselves on offering our customers a brilliantly different experience, so the concept of ASMR and giving people that magical tingly feeling, is the perfect tool to remind our customers of the travel experience that awaits them when they come back to the skies with us.
“Whether it’s the ubiquitous clicking shut of the overhead locker, or the familiar routine of the safety demonstration, it’s the sensory memory of these moments that our customers long for, heading off on their well deserved holidays, starting a fabulous adventure.”
For those who want to watch Virgin Atlantic's full one-hour ASMR video, here it is. Why bother? Apparently it's really relaxing…
Dr Giulia Poerio, psychology lecturer at the University of Essex, says: “Scientific research supports claims that ASMR is something that can make people feel relaxed. People with ASMR show significant reductions in their heart rates when watching ASMR videos, reductions comparable to other more well-established stress alleviating techniques such as mindfulness and music therapy.
"We now have more objective evidence that ASMR is relaxing (it's not just people telling us that ASMR makes them feel relaxed – their physiology is telling us the same thing too). ASMR videos allow people to experience the feeling ‘on demand’ and with greater longevity and intensity.
"This has meant that people use ASMR videos for insomnia, to reduce stress and anxiety and even to provide relief from loneliness. It’s perhaps no surprise then that many have turned to ASMR content so much during the pandemic.
“ASMR-tingling is associated with increased activation in brain regions involved in emotion, empathy and affiliative behaviours. As a result, ASMR has been likened to caring behaviours – suggesting that ASMR activates neurological pathways involved in socioemotional bonding. This idea is somewhat supported by research showing that ASMR videos increase feelings of social connection.”
Luxury travel company Black Tomato is renowned for delivering imaginative, private travel experiences and its latest offering is no exception. "Take me on a Story" brings famous children's stories to life with a blend of interactive experiences set in the destinations that echo iconic tales such as Alice in Wonderland, Arabian Nights and Treasure Island.
Full of wonder and intrigue, these itineraries have been designed to spark curiosity and bond adventure-deprived families through extraordinary experiences, whether it's playing croquet during a Mad Hatter's tea party (no prizes for guessing which book inspired that one) or learning survival skills and dog-mushing, Call of the Wild-style in Alaska.
Spanning Oxfordshire to Iceland, each journey includes a photographer to capture a seminal moment of a client’s choosing to commemorate the adventure.
Black Tomato has witnessed a huge appetite for multi-generational travel among its clients recently, with a 70 per ceent increase in bookings over the past two months and a 55 per cent increase in average spend per family.
Globetrender founder and editor, Jenny Southan, saw this coming. In a deep-dive into the future of family travel during the pandemic, she predicted that Reunion Vacations with grandparents – who will hopefully have been recently vaccinated – and other relatives will be a big trend this year. Creativity, education and the outdoors were also said to be key.
"I think there will be an emphasis on using travel to help supplement children’s education, which has been compromised during the pandemic, but vacations will also rightly be about having fun, embracing freedom, socialising and seeing new things because their lives have been limited for so many months," Southan writes.
She adds: "Parents will be being forced to be more creative in their holiday planning as previously reliable, crowd-pleasing options such as Disneyland are off the menu.
"We will see a lot of time being spent on beaches and in woodland – a return to nature and simplicity. Families will be surfing, swimming, building campfires, doing bushcraft, canoeing, hiring canal boats, staying at county house hotels, cycling and hiking."
While families can’t fully enjoy the freedom of travelling the globe just yet, the experts at Black Tomato are poised to welcome bespoke requests for story-inspired trips, asking clients to "dream big, so we can make these dreams a reality".
Black Tomato co-founder, Tom Marchant, says: “We cast our eyes to the enchanting world of classic children’s literature to stir creativity, instill enticing learning opportunities and capture the imagination of children of all ages by harnessing the transformative nature of travel.
"After the hardships of last year, being able to transport both children and adults into these rich, whimsical worlds feels like the ultimate joyful way to reconnect with family and welcome back the magic of travel.
"As a father myself and following the journeys of many clients that have grown with us over the years, it’s a personal delight to see these stories come to life. This is a collection we will continue to grow by inviting clients to shape our offerings with their favourite books that can inspire their family travels.
"We believe these trips will not only provide an engaging, experiential platform for education, but importantly inspire wanderlust and excitement, in the build-up to travel.”
1. Take me on a Story to Oxfordshire: A trip inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Families will tumble down the rabbit hole at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, in the UK, for a deep-dive into Lewis Carroll’s classic. Children will get to co-design a costume with a leading Cotswolds atelier then play croquet on the lawn during a tea party.
Activities will also include foraging in the forest, discovering how ordinary flora can be transformed into extraordinary products, and a river cruise retracing the famed "golden afternoon", brought to life by an Oxford historian.
From £8,250 per person for five nights staying at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons.
2. Take me on Story to Alaska: A trip inspired by Call of the Wild
Voyage into the Alaskan wilderness for an epic journey to experience the pioneering sense of adventure that inspired Jack London’s Call of the Wild.
Families will get to navigate glaciers by raft and pan for gold with historians, travel by helicopter and floatplanes to remote luxury lodges and cabins, and embrace Buck’s audacious spirit with expert-led learning experiences that include cultivating survival and outdoors skills via ice climbing, rappelling and dog-mushing.
The importance of conservation from interactive encounters with wildlife and learning the art of storytelling with a prospector-style campfire dinner are further highlights.
From £28,000 per person for nine nights staying at Sheldon Chalet, Winterlake Lodge and Hotel Alyeska, excluding flights.
3. Take me on a Story to Morocco: A trip inspired by Arabian Nights
On this treasure hunt inspired by Arabian Nights, families will venture through desert oases on camelback and 4x4s, explore ancient souks with soothsayers and discover dramatic landscapes from the High Atlas Mountains to the narrow streets of Ait Ben Haddou.
A guide will help families try pottery-making and hone their problem-solving skills at a Quranic school. Further highlights include learning astronomy while sleeping on a magic carpet under the stars in the Sahara and experiencing a "royal palace dinner" and pampering at La Sultana luxury riad.
From £3,500 per person for six nights staying at Kasbah Azul, Azalai Desert Lodge, Riad Caravane and La Sultana, excluding flights.
4. Take me on Story to Iceland: A trip inspired by Journey to the Centre of the Earth
Families will chart the course of Jules Verne’s classic in Iceland, climbing dormant volcanoes, sailing across glacial lagoons and swimming between the Earth’s tectonic plates. Accompanied throughout by an expert guide, Hans, families will follow a specially curated map to decipher clues in otherworldly settings such as lava caves, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Jökulsárlón glacier and the Silfra Fissure.
From £5,375 per person for six nights staying at Hotel Húsafell, Sandhotel, Hotel Kria and Torfhus, excluding flights.
5. Take me on Story to the British Virgin Islands: A trip inspired by Treasure Island
Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1882 classic is brought to life in the Caribbean where families will be able to go on underwater treasure hunts, take a private catamaran charter to the Dog Islands, and attend a stargazing bonfire to hear how both sailors and pirates navigate the seas.
Learning the tricks of survival Ben Gunn style, experiences will include: pirate school with sword fighting lessons and (non-alcoholic) rum-making; and sailing lessons and a private day charter to uninhabited islands, followed by a cooking class at Rosewood Little Dix Bay on the resort’s sustainable farm.
From £5,500 per person for seven nights staying at Rosewood Little Dix Bay, excluding flights.
