We could all be saying “bon voyage” to pilots sooner than you think as various manufacturers work toward self-flying commercial airplanes. “It’s going to take time. Everyone’s got to build confidence,” says Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun, but the autonomous future of aviation is very real. Forbes breaks down the fast-paced timeline:
2023: Various aircraft manufacturers working with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) to certify autonomous flight. 🧑✈️👨✈️🧑✈️✈️
2025-2026: The first self-flying cargo planes will enter civil aviation, sharing the skies with piloted airplanes. 🧑✈️👩✈️🤖✈️
2030-2035: Small, self-flying planes will begin carrying passengers on short, regional flights. 🧑✈️🤖🤖✈️
2040-2050: Larger passenger jets to begin testing and finalizing autonomous flight (firstly with a pilot on board to monitor, and eventually moving into operating fully without a pilot onboard). 🤖🤖🤖✈️
YIKES! No thank you very much. If this too was your first thought, you’re not alone. A 2018 study found that 81% of Americans would not feel comfortable flying with Captain AI alone.