Welcome to the first in a new series of articles where we look at business travel of the future!
First up is the exciting ‘Virgin Hyperloop’, which will be able to propel passengers at speeds of around 1,000km/h – three times faster that current high-speed rail systems and a whopping ten times quicker than traditional rail. Virgin has released its vision of this amazing passenger experience, only months after the first passenger testing of the revolutionary transportation technology.
We hope you enjoy this glimpse into the world of tomorrow… at least it’s a welcome departure from COVID-19 and Brexit stories!
In a video (see below!), viewers can ‘walk through’ the process, from boarding to destination, all the while surrounded by ground-breaking technology swathed in a calming palette of passenger comfort.
Sara Luchian, Virgin Hyperloop’s Director of Passenger Experience, was one of the first to experience the Hyperloop in November, during the first passenger trials.
“Designing a new mode of transportation from scratch is both an opportunity and a responsibility. Hyperloop technology – and what it enables – is paradigm-shifting. It follows that the passenger experience should be nothing short of extraordinary.”
The company, known for pushing the envelope and creating new travel experiences, are planning to reinvent mass transport as we know it. The new Hyperloop aims to eliminate traditional barriers such as time, distance and comfort by implementing the technology to ‘move cargo and passengers immediately, safely, efficiently, and sustainably’.
The Hyperloop system will be able to propel cargo and passengers at speeds of around 1000km/h – three times faster that current high-speed rail systems, and a whopping ten times quicker than traditional rail.
Not only is it efficient, but it’s environmentally friendly. Well, more environmentally friendly than traditional transport. The Virgin Hyperloop will have a lower environmental impact than other modes of mass transportation.
Thoughtful design means not only is the system sustainable, but snazzy too. Passengers can expect a calming and attractive experience, with recessed seat wells to provide a greater sense of space, dynamic lighting in each pod based on traveller activity, journey updates and even fresh greenery and wood textures incorporated into the interior.
Not content to stop there, Virgin have also been working on creating a new ‘sound experience’; working with Man Made Music for the ‘score and sonic identity’, aiming for a multi-sensory passenger experience that surpasses that of any other form of mass transit.
Even though it looks and sounds very posh, representatives from the company have stressed that the system will still be affordable. Ticket prices will vary depending on route, distance and class of travel, but a recent assessment has found that Hyperloop fares would be more akin to the cost of driving, rather than flying.
And, perhaps best of all, the ‘pods’ will be designed to ensure no more than 28 passengers can fit, meaning plenty of space and a comfortable journey. That being said, the Hyperloop system will still be able to carry thousands of passengers per hour.
Following their successful passenger testing, the company aims to achieve safety certification by 2025, with commercial operations beginning in 2030.
To help you navigate the changes of business travel, we’ve created the brand-new Traveller Toolkit. This invaluable online resource is packed full of easy-to-use guides and checklists for every stage of every journey. We detail exactly what you need to know and do before, during and after your trip.
You’ll also find innovative and interactive virtual trips, which walk you through each step of being at the airport, on the train and in the hotel. You can even check the travel restrictions and health status of your destination with our comprehensive COVID-19 Country Tracker, updated five times daily to ensure you have the very latest information to help keep you and your travellers safe.
Travel is changing. But with common sense and a good TMC behind you, travellers should have the confidence to once again take to the skies. It’ll soon be business as (un)usual.