My innovation would be clocks for pilots that work on 60 seconds in a minute rather than the current 300-seconds-per-minute clocks, as in “We’ll be on the ground in five minutes” and 20 minutes later you are still circling the airport at 5,000ft.
Geoff Miles, Poole, Dorset
A solution to improved leg room in economy without compromising cabin capacity would be vertical tiering of seating (or dropping into a well in the floor). A 50mm increase in seat base height of the row in front would enable many more people to stretch out their legs under the row. With seats tiered in blocks of three or four rows at a time it is probable that this could be done without compromising seat ergonomics or cabin structures.
John Bentley, Andover, Hants
A scanning mechanism that screens out the ignorant and antisocial?
Dick Vote, Aberdeen
Fuel that does not ignite should the aircraft crash land. Or maybe aeroengines that could safely run on fuel derived from waste.
Richard Young, Manchester
What about a passenger-only aircraft, with baggage and cargo following in an unmanned drone. That would remove the biggest problem with air travel.
Graham Haines, Derbyshire
For those who fly coach, wouldn’t it be great to have 2014 safety levels with 1960s service and 1930s queues?
Paul Bennell, Verwood, Dorset
Self-healing aircraft is a feasibility with the new range of composite materials but 3D printers producing spares is a bit far-fetched within aerospace quality and inspection rules! Mostly, I enjoy my experience in the air. It’s getting to the aircraft and through the airport that seems to be the problem, so my focus would be on airports and associated transport and security systems.
Nick Schulkins, Winchester
Maybe there ought to be a graph as part of the moving map displays that shows the acceleration rates the aircraft is being subject to in relation to the airframe structural limit. But do I really want to know how close to the limit we might be getting?
Giles Pettit, Beeston, Notts
I would like to see embarkation and disembarkation of passengers at the click of a mouse button. And a mute button for young children.
Colin Devereux, Bristol
Following the loss of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, and the ongoing search for the ‘black box’ recorders, I wonder why the various recordings are not transmitted directly to a ground base via radio, satellite or other means. It must be a lot more efficient (and cost effective) than searching vast areas of ocean. Surely the technology already exists.
Stephen Henderson, Birmingham
I get travel-sick, so a plane that wobbles at a non-nauseous frequency would be great. Modern computer control and some extra control surfaces should do the trick. The inertial sensors are cheap as chips nowadays.
Roger Best, Kingsclere
Rigid seat-backs to prevent you being repeatedly prodded by the child sitting behind. Better still, some means of putting small children to sleep!
Clive Renton, Chippenham, Wilts
Improve the flying experience? A decent high-speed rail network to kill off short-haul connecting flights and hours hanging around departure lounges in the clutches of purveyors of microwave ready-meals and ridiculously priced tat.
Nick Weston, Peeblesshire
Mercedes has produced systems for cars that scan the road ahead and adjust the suspension accordingly. It would be good if there could be the aeronautic equivalent to detect turbulence and smooth its effect.
Peter Howells, Tamworth, Staffs
The flying experience is probably as good as one can expect except it goes on for far too long! Roll on ‘sub-space’ travel.
Mike Bly, Holmfirth
Airports have managed to bring the flying experience in line with stubbing your toe in the middle of the night. Whether you want to park, eat, drink or shop, you are fleeced. Then there is the queuing...
Gary Lock, Dorking, Surrey
Elbow room!
John Ovenden, Barton Under Needwood
The time taken queuing to get on and off the aircraft, and the stowing and retrieval of hand luggage seems clumsy. Some innovation around ingress and egress to speed up the process would be most welcome.
Nick Lyons, Lincoln
How about a teleporter and do away with the need for aircraft altogether? Otherwise a way of reducing the time spent checking-in.
John Green, Darlington
Flying is actually the quickest part of air transport. The biggest improvements to my travel would come from a high-speed rail link to Heathrow, instant security checks... and total eradication of Charles de Gaulle airport!
Nicholas Easby, Berkeley, Glos
Something that allows me to take a smartphone on board with a flat battery caused by the inevitable wait whilst they check that no one in the lengthy queue in front of me has more than 50ml of fluid on their person (or whatever the latest hastily imposed restriction is).
Anonymous