Should airships replace planes? As more people become aware of the environmental impact of flying, one company has come up with an eco-friendly alternative that could change travel forever.
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The luxury liner making flying green
Should airships replace planes? As more people become aware of the environmental impact of flying, one company has come up with an eco-friendly alternative that could change travel forever.
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What's happening?
Ever since planes were inventedWilliam Bennett, then the US's education secretary, is credited with coining it in the 1980s., they have made travel easier. They can cross seas and mountains. Trips abroad are easier. Holidays are cheaper.
But flying has one problem. A plane releases harmful greenhouse gases when it burns fuel. And activistsPeople who campaign for social or political change. Greta Thunberg sailed to New York for a meeting instead of flying. say it is time to stop using them.
Now, one company has a solution. Hybrid Air Vehicles has developed an airship called the Airlander 10. It hopes to carry people on short journeys between cities by 2025.
Find out more
The Airlander 10 is filled with heliumA very light gas used in balloons to make them float. Old airships used hydrogen, but it burnt easily. Helium does not burn. to make it float. It has a small engine that means it can travel up to 91mphA normal passenger jet plane travels at up to 500mph.. Inside, it will have lots of space: it is 20m longer than a jumbo jet.
Airlander will not be used for long trips. The company says it will replace short plane journeys. But this could be perfect for quick trips between cities.
In less than five years, there could be as many as 12 flying to European cities like Oslo and StockholmStockholm is the capital of Sweden, a country in northern Europe. It is Sweden's largest city. It is also the country's center of culture, education, and business. Stockholm is known for its natural beauty.. And the company hopes to move into Canada and the US as soon as possible.
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Should airships replace planes?
Yes! The airship is not only greener, but also more comfortable. It is the perfect way to relax on a holiday. Guests will have much more space. And because it flies closer to the ground, there will be amazing views of cities that we miss when we are high up in a plane. It is the future of travel!
No. The Airlander sounds fun, but it will never be as good as a plane. It cannot go as fast - only 91mph. And it will have to make stops on big journeys. A jet will get you across the Atlantic in seven hours. Any other option would take days. We should focus on making planes greener, not by replacing them.
Keywords
Invented - William Bennett, then the US's education secretary, is credited with coining it in the 1980s.
Activists - People who campaign for social or political change. Greta Thunberg sailed to New York for a meeting instead of flying.
Helium - A very light gas used in balloons to make them float. Old airships used hydrogen, but it burnt easily. Helium does not burn.
91mph - A normal passenger jet plane travels at up to 500mph.
Stockholm - Stockholm is the capital of Sweden, a country in northern Europe. It is Sweden's largest city. It is also the country's center of culture, education, and business. Stockholm is known for its natural beauty.
The luxury liner making flying green
Glossary
Invented - William Bennett, then the US’s education secretary, is credited with coining it in the 1980s.
Activists - People who campaign for social or political change. Greta Thunberg sailed to New York for a meeting instead of flying.
Helium - A very light gas used in balloons to make them float. Old airships used hydrogen, but it burnt easily. Helium does not burn.
91mph - A normal passenger jet plane travels at up to 500mph.
Stockholm - Stockholm is the capital of Sweden, a country in northern Europe. It is Sweden's largest city. It is also the country's center of culture, education, and business. Stockholm is known for its natural beauty.