To satisfy constant demands for convenience and comfort, airlines regularly implement improvements, from updated amenity kits and increased legroom to free in-flight WiFi and personal entertainment. While these types of small-scale changes occur often, larger innovations are a bit more rare in the airline industry.

The basic aircraft cabin, for example, has not changed in decades. The traditional wide-body/narrow-body, twin-aisle/single-aisle passenger aircraft maintained a relatively consistent design over time but, reportedly, this may change. According to Skift, there have been discussions about the possibility of implementing an entirely new aircraft structure that will allow airlines to customize aircraft design depending on the needs of individual flights.

Airline needs, according to Skift, are not traditionally based on unnecessary additions and amenities but instead on customer demand and financial status. Airlines are looking for planes that can carry as many customers and cargo as possible while burning less fuel to reduce costs. The airline gets bonus points for customer satisfaction.

Reportedly, Airbus wants to change the game by introducing a new platform that could make it more practical for airlines to temporarily install ancillaries such as gyms, coffee shops, showers, sleeping pods and bars. While these amenities have been possible before, they were generally disregarded in fear of wasting money on a permanent amenity in which customers had little interest. The new programme is intended to allow for non-permanent additions installed based on customer need.

The new concept allows for more flexibility, where carriers can add features in a more cost-effective manner when demand arises. The programme, called Transpose, would allow airlines to reconfigure cabins for every flight. Where customers on a long-haul fight may find more value in a coffee bar and sleeping pods, a shorter flight may benefit from extra seats.

All-cargo aircraft currently use technology that could transform passenger aircraft configurations in minutes or hours, but these technologies are still relatively new and in need of improvement before they can be implemented in passenger aircraft. Regardless, the prospect of a customizable airline experience is an exciting one.

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