THE FLIGH PATH

A decade of innovation in aviation

- WORDS XENIA JAMSHYD LAM

The way we travel has and is evolving beyond merely going from one point to another, becoming a journey imbued with cultural awareness, experiences and a new level of social consciousness. From the initial golden age of travel to current budget airlines and the restrictions of the pandemic, air travel has transformed over the past decade. Significant advancements in aviation have occurred over the years as engines and aircraft have become lighter, quieter, and more efficient. Emerging technologies reshaped with robotics, artificial intelligence, the internet of things, unmanned aircraft systems and the push for hybrid and electric airplanes sounded the death knell for jumbo jets across the world. Asia Pacific became the world's biggest aviation market, whilst airlines squeezed more seats into their aircraft. Passengers benefited as fares remained at surprisingly affordable lows, business class seats hit new levels of comfort, wifi became airborne and inflight entertainment offered a plethora of options.

Offsetting this was the rise of annoying ancillary fees for previously included items, the decline of economy-class catering and the reduction of legroom to knee-crunching levels. Allegiances became extra fluid as airlines moved beyond major global alliances to make strategic deals, whilst some names faded away.

And now to tell the story of some airlines that have left an indelible mark over this decade with their actions and vision for the future:

The way we travel has and is evolving

CATHAY PACIFIC