The Flying Luxury Hotel

by Rick Reed (RSS feed)
Feb 16th 2006 at 8:02PM

The Aerocraft resembles a blimp but we like the name "flying luxury hotel". The two-football-fields-long airship hasn't reached the prototype stage yet but one might be ready by 2010. The hotel in the sky has a range of several thousand miles with an estimated top speed of 174 mph. The interior might include luxury rooms, restaurants, and a casino. Several cruise ship companies have expressed interest in the project. Capacity is limited to 250 passengers. I like the flying hotel concept but the traveling speed suggests the flying adventure is more important than the destination.

Tags: blimp, flying, flying hotel, FlyingHotel

Filed under: Wings

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Calhoun Feb 23rd 2006 11:36AM

How about we come up with aircrafts that will stay in the air no matter what happens in Iraq first. Come up with something that will help soldiers like me benifit overseas in war situations first, before thinking about the luxury of people who only suffer when the stock market is down

jim Feb 23rd 2006 11:36AM

WOW WHAT A GREAT IDEA....LARGER TARGETS

Annapurna Feb 23rd 2006 11:40AM

I might feel like this is my "last" trip as I travel up to the skies in luxury to enter the pearly gates.

I think the idea is bizarre and frankly just stupid!

Calhoun Feb 23rd 2006 11:42AM

RUSS Feb 23rd 2006 11:45AM

I HAVE TO SAY LO0KING AT ALL THE COMMENTS POSTED HERE I FEAR RO THE FUTURE OF THIS COUNTRY BECAUSE YOU PEOPLE ARE STUPID AS HELL NOT ALL BUT MOST.JESUS YOU SHOULD THINK BEFORE YOU TYPE

Lynne Feb 23rd 2006 11:59AM

Anyone recall THE HINDENBURG? and Lakehurst?

Random West Feb 23rd 2006 12:23PM

As a lifelong airship enthusiast, no one would like to see this happen more than I. But, as such, I have also come to accept the realities of LTA flight. Advanced metallurgy, design, or computer controls cannot change the simple meteorological lessons learned in the 30's. And be operational in 4 years? Never mind the Hindenburg, anyone remember the Akron- Macon- or Shenandoah?

Lauren Feb 23rd 2006 12:24PM

What a concept! It's on a par with the idea of offering trips to space for travelers with money to burn. I can't conceive of what "we the people" could or would gain by pursuing this endeavour. Nice idea in theory, but totally impractical in fact

Dennis Feb 23rd 2006 12:53PM

I agree with Jim...another TARGET FOR TERRORIST or if highjacked a really good weapon. Whatever happened with the Hotels on the moon concept, hahahah.

Roz (Rosamond Sanderson) Feb 23rd 2006 1:06PM

Marvelous looking craft, but it should be modified for use in carrying cargo as we do not seem to be interested in exploiting rail transport. Having flown a small plane in my green days, I cannot imagine how this "blimp" could be configured to meet the vagaries of air currents; but I will applaud the people who will do it! Think of the pleasure of getting those behemoth semi trucks off the high-way.

Michael Feb 23rd 2006 1:28PM

I suspect that the Cruise Industry would be hard pressed to compete with the economics of an aircraft that could lodge 250 people and transport them from island to island around the Carribean much more cheaply than any ocean going vessel. A 7 night cruise could spend ALL DAY in 6 different destinations with much lower transportation costs compared to the 3 or 4 destinations of a standard ship based cruise. Actual travel time between islands would be down to hours so every night could be spent at different evening venues located near the airport. What a way to vacation!!!
I can't believe the self centered and narrow minded comments posted so far. This idea has jackpot written all over it. BTW: as far as the Hindenburg is concerned, I would seriously DOUBT they're using the same gas technology.

Lynne Feb 23rd 2006 1:40PM

I also recall other ideas like the 'spacecraft' used in thr opening sequence of "The 6 Million Dollar Man", if I recall its still on display at Wright Patterson's Air Museum in Dayton Ohio. And also I recall the hangers built for ships like the Akron. The giant Ferris Wheel designed to look like a tire for a worlds fair..... And when Willow Run Aircraft Plant became Detroit's Airport before the Detroit Metropolitain International Airport Complex. And When Love Field was the main airport for Dallas / Fort Worth. DC3's, B-52 bombers when they were new and ruled the skies from bases like Kinchloe and Selfridge, Loring.

My comment on Hindenburg and Lakehurst was a safety issue question. Static electricity, St. Elmo's fire or whatever the cause was at the mooring point that ended The Hindenburg and virtually all LTA Commercial flight ventures.

Constance Feb 23rd 2006 2:01PM

A plane that moves at such slow speed really isn't suitable for international travel and why do I need a luxury room for a max 8 hour domestic flight? Just another over-the-top luxury we can do without. I could think of a million ways to spend that money on better causes. And who would go on quick a sky cruise "just for fun", knowing you still have to subject yourself to airport security checks and associated wait times?

KIMBERLY Feb 23rd 2006 2:29PM

THIS IS JUST PLAIN STUPID. WHO WOULD WANT TO GO UP IN THE AIR, JUST TO SLEEP AND GAMBLE. WHAT A WASTE OF CASH. IF THEY HAVE MONEY TO WASTE, THEY SHOULD BE HELPING THE HOMELESS, NOT COMING UP WITH STUPID THINGS SUCH AS THIS. WHAT A WASTE, WHAT A WASTE, WHAT A WASTE.

Darrel Wyatt Feb 23rd 2006 3:49PM

I, personally, consider myself an Ayn Rand Objectivist and I particularly find this specific article delightfully captivating. The prowess of mans' mind is absolutely phenomenal and indeed stunning! You could not get this kind of invention from living completely in a fantasy world utterly foreign to reason and rationalism. And you ultimately could not stumble upon such an incredible invention by mere chance either, someone had to seriously utilize their own remarkable talents and skill to its ultimate possible potential here.

Just think how sad it would have been if man was totally and utterly given to pure unreason. We would not have the modern marvels that we have today, no computers, cell phones, or cars. Everyone would still be living in the dark ages. Just look at the many splendid things that the human mind has given us, especially within this past century. Not to mention medical breakthroughs. Fifty years ago, organ transplants were unheard of, waiting to be discovered. This very moment as I write, someone, somewhere is recieving a kidney, pancreas, heart, or liver.

This latest invention may very well be self-indulgent, but SO WHAT? I salute those who utilize their skill and talent to benefit their own self-interests. As long as they are NOT exploiting others, give me simply one good absolute reason as to why one should not indulge???

I understand, there are certain degrees of compassion that one must sincerely have. However, most people put themselves in their own dire situation, not the person who is working to benefit his or her ownself. Not all, but many of people who are in desparate situations aren't willing enough to utilize their own minds to where they could benefit themselves, rather they leech off of others. That to me is disgustingly vain. When if they truly cared about their situation, they would get up and find a way to make an honest living. Im not exactly rich myself, but I take full responsibility regarding that.

All I'm saying here is give credit to where credit is due. The MORAL success of the human mind is ultimately the highest ideal and must certainly be shown a tremendous amount of appreciation. Hail to reason. Hail to non-exploitive individual capitalism and honest to goodness achievement! For it was the engineer and NOT the obnoxius societal vagrant that gave us all that we posess in this great day and age of scientific and technological advance.

Who knows, perhaps a hundred years from now there will be hotels not just in the air, but on the moon. Personal potential is limitless, we must all strive.

I am very much interested and would like to hear from other objectivists and anyone else who reads this article, please feel free to send me your comments: darrelwyatt@aol.com.

warren Mar 25th 2006 11:43PM

I find the concept of this aircraft interesting. I'v only been on two cruise ships in my 58 years and found the days at sea to be the most enjoyable days of the trips. The concept of of an airborn cruise ship appeals to me for my limited travel for pleasure budget.

Given today's technologies, the issues of hydrogen lift such as in the Hindenberg airship can be easily addressed. Who cares if it isn't the concorde in terms of speed. What an experience it would be to cruise across this country at low altitude and see the grandure and beauty spread beneath you. I would save a couple of years to do something like this.

John Apr 24th 2006 12:08PM

Extreme measures to avoid ice, thunderstorms and turbulence will be required and will further curtail the flexibility of this air ship, which by design already has a greatly restricted operational envelope. Air operations will be possible; however, and the luxury-over-predictable-performance clientele may just buy the service. While undergoing ground servicing, good luck in trying to safely tether this monster as a brisk weather front approaches.

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