On Wednesday, we covered the best aircraft of the 2010’s, today, we aim to look at the best aircraft to look out for in the 2020’s. This list will comprise of aircraft that are due to enter service between 2020 and 2029. So, which aircraft should you be looking out for in the 2020’s?
The 2020’s are probably going to be the best decade for aviation in recent memory. The 2020’s will likely see the resurgence of supersonic aircraft, after almost two decades without them. The 2020’s will also see newer and larger business jets, that are more efficient than their predecessor.
What are the best commercial aircraft to look out for in the 2020’s?
The 2020’s will likely see the second supersonic commercial aircraft ever produced. The 2020’s will also see more efficient aircraft that will see more flights taking place, in an increasingly globalized world.
Boeing 797
Boeing is currently reeling from the disastrous 737 Max crisis- in which two of its aircraft malfunctioned and crashed. This has led Boeing with little other alternatives, but many people believe that the 797 will be the key to Boeing’s survival, and the end to the 737 Max fiasco.
The Boeing 797 will effectively be Boeing’s replacement to the 757 and the 767. Many people believe that the 797 will be one of the best aircraft to look out for in the 2020’s, as it will revitalize Boeing wholesale, but will also do one other major thing- make comfort the standard, not the seating capacity.
The 797’s design is from the 1960’s, when flying was about luxury, not about bottom lines.
The 797 is expected to come into service between 2025 and 2027, although some have shown skepticism towards this!
Boom Overture
We have covered the Overture in its own dedicated Aircraft Digest article, in that article, we talked about how utterly revolutionary the Overture is, and how it is an aircraft to look out for in the 2020’s.
Essentially, the Overture is meant to be the ‘Son of Concorde’. Many people believe that the Boom Overture is the aircraft to look out for in the 2020’s, as it is going to revolutionize the way that business class and first class fly! If you can’t or won’t fly private, then flying supersonic it will have to be!
The Overture is expected to begin flights in the mid-2020’s.
Electric passengerliners
Electricity and green aircraft are the way of the future. Whilst it’s not one specific aircraft, that we can point to and say “This is an aircraft to look out for in the 2020’s and beyond!” We can say that soon, gas-guzzling jet airliners will be a thing of the past.
Whilst most electric passengerliners are just in the prototype phase at the moment, they are expected to be much faster than conventional gas-guzzling jet aircraft (although they will not be supersonic).
You should expect to see electric passengerliners in the late parts of the 2020’s (2028-2029) or even in the 2030’s if there are sufficient delays (although these are unlikely).
What will be the best business jets to watch out for in the 2020’s?
The 2020’s are expected to see an increase in private jet sales, due to the unprecedented economic boom we are in. The 2020’s will see larger and more luxurious business jets, that go even faster than they did in the 2010’s!
Aerion AS2
The As2 is very much like the Overture in one key aspect- it will be supersonic, the first of its kind for the business aviation scene.
The As2 will be the business aviation scene’s first instance of supersonic travel, and unlike Concorde, it will be bale to fly over land. The AS2 will also be at the height of luxury, with a full bathroom and shower included in the aircraft (yes, that means that you could be singing in the shower, on your private, flying as faster than the speed of sound!)
The AS2 truly is one of the best aircraft to look out for in the 2020’s, as it will be nice to see if these aircraft actually fly, or if it is just more hype over a do-nothing startup!
Aerion expects that the AS2 will be delivered in the early-mid 2020’s, between 2023 and 2025.
G750/G800
In November, there was talk about a new Gulfstream aircraft- the G700. I believe that the 2020’s could see yet another new business jet. Whilst I do not believe that it will be a whole new family of the Gulfstream jets (G800 family), I do believe that a G750 is possible.
Once Gulfstream begins to deliver the G700, they will have the ability to ease their productions of G600s and G650s, in order to produce more of the G700. I believe that Gulftsream could use this time to begin developments of a new, faster, more efficient, larger Gulfstream.
If this is so, I would put the argument down, that this would be one of the best aircraft to look out for the 2020’s, I would even go as far to say the best aircraft to look out for in the 2020’s!
I could see the G750 being delivered around 2028 or 2029, presuming that the G700 is a successful aircraft.
Global 9000
You have probably heard of the Global 7500 and the Global 8000. But there is not yet a Global 9000, at least officially anyway. I could quite easily see there being a Global 9000 aircraft announced in the early 2020’s, for delivery in the late 2020’s.
If the G700 and Global 8000s are anything to go by, a Global 9000 would be one of the best aircraft to look out for in the 2020’s, probably even the second best aircraft to look out for in the 2020’s (after the G750, of course!).
A Global 9000 would have a similar delivery schedule to a G750. An announcement of production, and release to the press in the early 2020’s, with production and deliveries for the late 2020’s!
What will be the best private aircraft to watch out for?
The 2020’s will bring some of the best private aircraft to look out for in the 2020’s. Faster, more efficient and larger private aircraft!
Antonov An-132
The Antonov An-132 is probably the best private aircraft to look out for in the 2020’s, if I do say so myself. It was initially conceived as a transport aircraft, and as the successor to the An-32. It will still serve this role, although they will also become a private aircraft for private pilots to enjoy!
The An-132 will be equipped with a number of extra seats in order for private pilots to fly guests around (assuming they have the correct qualifications to do so.)
The An-132 had its first flight in 2017, and will be delivered in the early parts of 2021!
AVIC AG-600
Want an aircraft and a boat? The AG-600 is the best aircraft for you! Although, due to trade embargoes and tariffs, you will be hard-pressed to get one to any nation that isn’t China!
The AG-600 could be one of the best aircraft to look out for in the 2020’s due to its dual capacity, as both a boat and an aircraft- a rare aircraft in today’s world! (Yes, I know you can get aircraft that are seaplanes, but the AG-600 is much more like the seaplanes of the early 20th century!)
The AG-600 is due to be delivered to its Chinese customers in 2022, however, they will be military variants only.
Cessna Skycourier
Whilst this is not fundamentally designed to be a private jet, it likely soon will be. Currently, Textron Aviation, Cessna’s parent company, is looking to revolutionize the air courier business. However, I could see in the mid-2020’s, a civilian version of the Skycourier being announced (probably renamed to something with a number), as has happened with several Cessna aircraft.
If a civilian variant were to be announced, I would probably say that it is one of the best aircraft to look out for in the 2020’s!
The Skycourier is expected to be delivered in 2022, with a possible civilian variant to be delivered in 2025.
So which aircraft are you most looking forward to? Tell me in the comments!