Two years ago, a Switzerland-based company named AirYacht revealed a flying superyacht concept that was meant to revolutionize the industry of leisure crafts. The dual-purpose concept combined a helium airship powered by a hybrid propulsion system with a luxury superyacht, enabling it to be operated like an aircraft and a sea vessel. It’s not to be confused with the Air Yacht concept by Lazzarini Designs, which was also showcased in the same year. The original plan was to prepare the multi-functional luxury craft for the market by 2026.
However, the company has released a new iteration of the 656-foot-long AirYacht concept and has pushed the timeline by at least one year. Instead of featuring a two-part design with a detachable 197-foot superyacht that releases from the upper blimp portion, the 2.0 version of the concept features a nondetachable lounge with bigger interior space that can accommodate more guests.
CEO Guillaume Hoddé said the AirYacht will now operate exclusively in the air. “We founded the company with a dream of living in the air,” Hoddé told Robb Report. “At 500 feet, you can see, feel, and smell the environment with almost limitless accessibility. That is different from any other mode of travel.” The permanently attached lounge, which has been completely redesigned, will have about 8,600 square feet of livable space, upping the passenger capacity to as many as 40 people. It will also have enough space to support 12 crew members and 3 pilots. Version 2.0 also includes a 12-person elevator that will help make boarding and getting off the AirYacht possible without the airship landing on the ground. This feature will help AirYacht explore remote areas with difficult terrains.
The Swiss company claims that the airship cruise at a maximum altitude of 10,000 feet (3,048 meters), while it will also have the capability to hover at the same spot, giving the guests enough time to soak in the beauty of any particular spot. The hybrid propulsion system will give the AirYacht a top speed of 50 knots (57.5 mph); however, the company plans to make the airship emission-free by 2030 with the help of a hydrogen-powered propulsion unit.
There’s also a focus on sustainability with energy optimization through AI control of systems, water recycling, and fuel cell tech. The company has fabricated prototypes for many subsystems, according to Hoddé, while the first full-scale prototype will serve as the first airship. Initial flight tests are planned for 2026, and the AirYacht could be commercially available for sale after two years.
