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From ‘Skytanic' to bizarre ‘blended wing' jet – five astonishing planes of the future we could see by 2030

From ‘Skytanic' to bizarre ‘blended wing' jet – five astonishing planes of the future we could see by 2030

Scottish Sun11-05-2025
With record-breaking ranges of 9,000 non-stop miles, to supersonic speeds that can slash flight times
READY, JET, GO! From 'Skytanic' to bizarre 'blended wing' jet – five astonishing planes of the future we could see by 2030
TECHNOLOGY is rapidly changing on the ground, in space and the sky in between.
Here's a glimpse into the not-so-distant future of air travel.
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Soon to be the world's biggest plane, WindRunner, will be able to carry 12-times more than a Boeing 747
Credit: RADIA
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Dubbed "Skytanic", the airliner will take to the skies by 2030
Credit: RADIA
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The world's first "blended-wing body" plane, dubbed the Z4, could someday replace older Boeing jets
Credit: JetZero
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The 250-passenger Z4 plane, built by JetZero, has not yet been certified - but the company is hoping to launch it by 2030
Credit: JetZero
'Skytanic'
Soon to be the world's biggest plane, WindRunner, will be able to carry 12-times more than a Boeing 747.
Dubbed "Skytanic", the airliner will take to the skies by 2030, almost a decade after the idea was put forward by aerospace firm Radia.
It will be tasked with transporting enormous cargo.
WindRunner will clock in at an incredible 356ft - longer than the pitch at Wembley - and will be 79ft tall.
'Blended wing' jet
The world's first "blended-wing body" plane, dubbed the Z4, could someday replace older Boeing jets.
The unique design was just backed by United Airlines, which has plans to purchase up to 200 of the swanky new planes.
The 250-passenger Z4 plane, built by JetZero, has not yet been certified - but the company is hoping to launch it by 2030.
Managing director of United Airlines Venture told Business Insider that the Z4's oversized wing could create a "living room in the sky".
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In October last year, the Beijing-based firm said that it successfully completed the first test flight for the prototype model
Credit: YUNXING
Yunxing superplane
A futuristic 'superplane' that could ferry passengers from London to New York City in just 90 minutes is hoped to be in the sky by 2027.
The Chinese company, Space Transportation, behind the project is reportedly inching closer towards the production of the aircraft, called Yunxing.
In October last year, the Beijing-based firm said that it successfully completed the first test flight for the prototype model.
The jet could potentially reach the speed of Mach 4 (3,00mph) - twice as fast as the British Concorde.
World's first private jet that can fly 9,000 miles non-stop to launch across US and Europe after breaking records
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This globetrotting jumbo jet is set to launch across US and Europe, having secured FAA and EASA certifications
Credit: Gulfstream
Globe trotter
The Gulfstream G800 boasts a record-breaking range, allowing it to fly an incredible 9,000 miles without stopping.
This globetrotting jumbo jet is set to launch across US and Europe, having secured FAA and EASA certifications.
It's hoped it will be zooming across skies in 2030.
Now the longest-range private aircraft in the world, the Gulfstream G800 can ferry passengers to almost anywhere in the world without taking a single stop.
If the jet were to take off from London it could fly to any airport across the globe - with the exception of Sydney.
It has three luxurious living areas for up to 19 passengers, as well as a dedicated crew compartment for maximum in-flight comfort.
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Overture aircraft could feasibly fly passengers from London to New York City in just 3.5 hours at supersonic speeds
Credit: The Mega Agency
Boom Overture
The supersonic Overture jet is on track for a 2029 launch, according to the company behind the project.
US-based Boom Technology has forecast a market for up to 1,000 supersonic airliners, across 500 viable routes, with fares comparable to business class.
Overture aircraft could feasibly fly passengers from London to New York City in just 3.5 hours at supersonic speeds.
The flight currently takes roughly 8 hours on a standard commercial carrier.
Laying the groundwork for Overture, Boom's XB-1 jet successfully reached supersonic speeds earlier this year.
Bosses at the Colorado-headquartered firm believe it will be the first US-built commercial supersonic jet to hit the market
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Everbloom partners with leading mills, raises 8 million dollars to bring protein-waste to luxury supply chains
Everbloom partners with leading mills, raises 8 million dollars to bring protein-waste to luxury supply chains

Fashion United

time33 minutes ago

  • Fashion United

Everbloom partners with leading mills, raises 8 million dollars to bring protein-waste to luxury supply chains

After seven years of quiet development, textile start-up Everbloom has stepped into the spotlight with the launch of its proprietary protein-based fibres, positioning itself as a direct alternative to cashmere and wool. With 8 million dollars in total funding under its belt, propelling it from concept to commercialisation, the New York-based company has pioneered a process that transforms pre-consumer protein waste into luxury-grade fibres that rival the softness and strength of their natural counterparts. Unlike traditional textile recycling, Everbloom, founded by third-generation textile entrepreneur Simardev Gulati and polymer scientist Michael Jaffe, operates a patented method to regenerate proteins at a molecular level, allowing fibres to be fine-tuned for softness, durability and moisture regulation. 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Gulati points out that, 'until now', there have been few innovative material companies that have been able to provide material at scale. 'From the outset, we involve [luxury brands'] product development and sustainability teams directly in the co-creation process with brands and mills, ensuring the fibre is tested, refined and integrated into products that align with their long-term strategies,' Gulati elaborated. 'These early-stage collaborations build the foundation for scale, so by the time the fibre reaches commercial readiness, the brand already has a clear pathway for adoption across collections,' he added. 'The goal of Everbloom, the brands and the mills is not a one-off capsule, but embedding the material into their core offering.' In order to achieve such a feat, the operational and cost trajectory of Everbloom is also important. As a young company, costs are naturally on the higher side. 'However, we have a direct and accelerated path to being cost-competitive with traditional wool and cashmere,' Gulati noted. Such a vision is imperative on the path to expansion, which has been a pain point for next-gen textile innovators, who often lack the long-term financial support from retailers and brands. Everbloom campaign imagery. Credits: Everbloom. 'I think it goes back to having scalable cost effective options,' Gulati said, when asked about the obstacles stopping brands from switching to regenerative fibres. 'The fashion, textile industry is a mature industry – we successfully clothe eight billion people per year three times a day with waste. It's incredible. We just need to be able to do it in a way that economically incentivises brands and mills to adopt the material. We aim to do that.' 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Knights Hires Expert Property Team Ahead of Cardiff Office Opening
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timean hour ago

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Knights Hires Expert Property Team Ahead of Cardiff Office Opening

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India's Modi meets China's top diplomat as Asian powers rebuild ties
India's Modi meets China's top diplomat as Asian powers rebuild ties

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China's foreign ministry said the countries have entered a 'steady development track' and the countries should 'trust and support' each other. Mr Wang arrived in India on Monday and has met with foreign affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar as well as national security adviser Ajit Doval about the countries' disputed border in the Himalayan mountains. India's foreign ministry said Mr Wang's meeting with Mr Doval discussed 'de-escalation, delimitation and boundary affairs'. Narendra Modi and Chinese president Xi Jinping (Manish Swarup/AP) Relations plummeted in 2020 after security forces clashed along the border. The violence, the worst in decades, left 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese soldiers dead, freezing high-level political engagements. 'The setbacks we experienced in the past few years were not in the interest of the people of our two countries. We are heartened to see the stability that is now restored in the borders,' Mr Wang said. Mr Modi emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity on the border and reiterated India's commitment to a 'fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary question', his office said in a statement. The rebuilding of India-China ties coincides with friction between New Delhi and Washington after US president Donald Trump imposed steep tariffs on India, a long-time ally seen as a counterbalance against China's influence in Asia. India is part of the Quad security alliance with the US, along with Australia and Japan. The chill in relations after the deadly clash in 2020 between troops in the Ladakh region affected trade, diplomacy and air travel, as both sides deployed tens of thousands of security forces in border areas. Some progress has been made since then. Last year, India and China agreed to a pact on border patrols and withdrew additional forces along some border areas. Both countries continue to fortify their border by building roads and rail networks. In recent months, the countries have increased official visits and discussed easing some trade restrictions, movement of citizens and visas for businesspeople. In June, Beijing allowed pilgrims from India to visit holy sites in Tibet. Both sides are working to restore direct flights. Last week, the spokesman for India's foreign ministry, Randhir Jaiswal, said India and China were in discussions to restart trade through three points along their 2,167-mile border. 'Settling the boundary issue between the two countries requires political compromise at the highest political level,' said Manoj Joshi, a fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, a New Delhi-based think tank. He also served as a member of the advisory board for India's National Security Council. The thaw between Beijing and New Delhi began last October when Mr Modi and Chinese president Xi Jinping met at a summit of emerging economies in Russia. It was the first time the leaders had spoken in person since 2019. Mr Modi is set to meet Mr Xi when he travels to China late this month — his first visit in seven years — to attend the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a regional grouping formed by China, Russia and others to counter US influence in Asia. Earlier this year, Mr Xi called for India and China's relations to take the form of a 'dragon-elephant tango' — a dance between the emblematic animals of the countries. Last month, India's external affairs minister visited Beijing in his first trip to China since 2020.

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