Aircruise
Aircruise is a concept hydrogen airship envisioned as the combination of cruise ship and luxury hotel,{{Cite web |url=http://cleantech.com/news/5596/seymourpowell-unveils-eco-friendly |title=Seymourpowell unveils eco-friendly Aircruise design |access-date=2010-02-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205070213/http://cleantech.com/news/5596/seymourpowell-unveils-eco-friendly |archive-date=2010-02-05 |url-status=dead }} designed by the UK company Seymourpowell. Its design director is Nick Talbot. It has attracted the attention of Samsung Construction and Trading, for whom a concept video was produced.{{Cite web |url=http://www.seymourpowell.com/aircruise/aircruise-press-release.html |title=Seymourpowell introduces the Aircruise - a clipper in the clouds |access-date=2010-02-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206110817/http://www.seymourpowell.com/aircruise/aircruise-press-release.html |archive-date=2010-02-06 |url-status=dead }} It was later revealed that the concept was a publicity stunt by Seymourpowell, and nothing like this concept could ever work.{{Cite web|url=http://www.airships.net/blog/hydrogen-airship-nonsense|title = Hydrogen Airship Fantasy|date = 4 February 2010}}
Specifications
The Aircruise would be a solar and hydrogen fuel cell-powered airship.[http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/02/03/fuel-cell-powered-luxury-aircruise-designed-for-zero-emissions-travel/ The Aircruise: A Sustainable and Luxurious Way to Travel] According to its design specifications, it would be {{convert|265|m|abbr=on}} tall containing {{convert|330000|m3|abbr=on}} of air and would carry a payload of {{convert|396|t|abbr=on}}. It was "designed" to carry about 100 passengers with a flight crew of 6, 2 of whom are flight engineers, and another 14 supporting staff to look after passengers.[http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/the-aircruise-may-herald-a-new-era-in-travel/story-e6frfq80-1225826631977 News Australia] The airship will use large Polymer Electrolyte Membrane hydrogen-power fuel cells to power in-flight electricity and drinking water.{{cite news |last1=Eaton |first1=Kit |title=Blimp My Ride: Luxury Eco-Zeppelin Does London to NYC in 37 Unforgettable Hours |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/1537403/blimp-my-ride-luxury-eco-zeppelin-does-london-nyc-37-unforgettable-hours |work=Fast Company}}
It would have glass floors for passengers to view the land and sea beneath.[https://gizmodo.com/5463185/ Aircruise From London To New York In 37hrs (In Concept-Land Only)]
Its land speed would depend on the wind, but it would supposedly be capable of traveling at {{convert|100|to|150|km/h|abbr=on}}, in calm conditions.
Critical response
The Aircruise concept received generally favourable criticism, much to the embarrassment of reporters when the hoax was revealed. For example, The Daily Telegraph stated that it could herald a new era of luxury travel.[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/picturegalleries/7139342/Aircruise-giant-hydrogen-airships-could-herald-a-new-era-in-luxury-travel.html Aircruise: giant hydrogen airships could herald a new era in luxury travel] Coverage in The Scotsman welcomed it as attractive for its environmental friendliness.[http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/uk/39Slow-is-the-new-fast39.6036945.jp 'Slow is the new fast' say the designers of cutting edge airship]
=Eco friend=
Ordinary cruise ships release three times as much greenhouse gas as a Boeing 747 per passenger and 36 times as much as the Eurostar. The Aircruise was thus claimed to be an eco friendly alternative, with its zero emission design.