New aircraft, routes, and upgraded cabins are set to take flight in 2023, marking an exciting evolution in the aviation industry.

The past year has been filled with challenges for airlines, with global disruptions such as the war in Ukraine causing airspace restrictions, the lifting of most travel barriers, China’s end to inbound quarantine, delays in Boeing 737 MAX deliveries, and growing concerns about the future of newer 737 MAX models.

The outlook for the coming year is more hopeful, though considerable uncertainty remains.

IATA, representing most global airlines, anticipates a return to profitability in 2023 following a challenging 2022, primarily due to lingering effects of the pandemic shutdowns and rising fuel costs.

Long-awaited new aircraft could soon take to the skies, marking the dawn of a new era in commercial aviation.

However, significant risks persist. Factors such as wars, global and regional recessions, potential Covid resurgences, shifts in travel behaviors, the ongoing climate crisis, and other uncontrollable variables continue to challenge the aviation industry.

So, what does all this mean for travelers in 2023?

Reimagining air travel routes

The impact of Covid-19 has shaped the last three years of our lives, and its effects will continue, but for most of us, this won't involve ongoing travel restrictions.

When Japan reopened to international travelers in the fall of 2022, it became the last major economy outside of China to do so.

In most crucial aspects for airlines and passengers, the world is now fully open. The long-awaited answer to the question of when China’s quarantine and travel restrictions would lift has arrived, with the country announcing the easing of measures starting January 8.

Another key issue is Russia. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February, many countries, including the EU, US, and Canada, imposed airspace bans on Russian airlines, and Russia reciprocated.

Outside of the conflict zone, the most significant consequence has been on flights between Europe and East Asia. These routes now either bypass the conflict zone via the Caucasus or take a longer northern route over Alaska, leading many European and Asian airlines to reduce services.

This means fewer flights are operating between Europe and Asia, leaving many European and Asian airlines with planes they had planned to use on these routes. Now, they are exploring other destinations to deploy their aircraft.

New transatlantic routes between North America and Europe are already launching, with the major three airline alliances – Oneworld, Star Alliance, and SkyTeam – expanding their networks. These alliances, which have been authorized to coordinate pricing among their members, are adding many new flights and strengthening existing services.

If you notice a new nonstop flight, it might be a great opportunity to book. However, if European carriers regain access to Russian airspace and demand to and from China returns, these new nonstops may revert to requiring layovers.

Speaking of alliances, Virgin Atlantic is expected to join its partner Delta in the SkyTeam alliance in early 2023. Meanwhile, the long-discussed possibility of China Southern (arguably the world’s largest airline) joining the Oneworld alliance seems to be gaining momentum. This could open up new connections for their partners and passengers alike.

One new aircraft, but many new cabin experiences.

China’s first modern narrowbody, the COMAC C919, is expected to begin passenger service as 2022 transitions into 2023. This new aircraft poses a significant challenge to Western manufacturers, offering passengers in China an alternative to the familiar Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, though the flying experience will be quite similar.

There are no major new aircraft expected in 2023. Boeing’s much-delayed 777X, a larger widebody, isn’t anticipated to be delivered until 2025 at the earliest, and that’s assuming there are no further setbacks after test flights were paused in December due to issues with its General Electric GE9X engines.

Expect more deliveries of current-generation aircraft like the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787, meaning there will be newer jets in the skies. However, this also means that some older aircraft will remain in service longer than originally planned.

The extra-long-range Airbus A321XLR narrowbody is set to arrive with airlines in early 2024. The good news for Airbus came on December 8, when the US Federal Aviation Administration approved the design of its additional fuel tank.

As a result, new nonstop flights from smaller airports, especially transatlantic routes, are likely to be announced in 2023. It’s worth keeping an eye out and booking quickly.

We might also see new variants of aircraft announced. Airbus has hinted at a potential stretch of its A220, a small narrowbody that has won over passengers with its spacious seats, large overhead bins, and big windows.

As new aircraft roll out, they bring upgraded cabins, such as Airbus’ Airspace cabin, which offers more space, larger overhead bins, and a sleeker design.

According to Airbus’ Vice President of Cabin Marketing, Ingo Wuggetzer, the increasing number of Airspace-equipped aircraft means more passengers will enjoy enhanced comfort and connectivity features. He says, 'This is what matters to me in 2023 – bringing these innovations to more passengers around the world.'

He also predicts that 2023 will see a surge in digitalization within airlines’ daily operations. This shift will benefit passengers by improving connectivity, providing more information, and offering self-service options, all of which help reduce airport queues and long waits on customer service calls.

The comeback of iconic aircraft.

The massive and widely beloved Airbus A380 is making a comeback. Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, is the latest carrier to reintroduce its A380s, offering passengers more spacious economy seats on this quiet, roomy aircraft. It's great news for travelers.

Boeing's two 737 MAX variants – the shorter MAX 7 and the extended MAX 10 – are currently stuck in certification limbo, with a deadline for approval by the end of the year.

In short, US regulators have requested that Boeing add additional safety systems to these aircraft. This will be costly for Boeing, especially since the company had previously promised airlines it would avoid such modifications to spare them from the cost of pilot retraining.

While this won’t have an immediate impact on passengers, airlines may face delays in using these planes to replace older fleets or launch new routes in the longer term.

Security and sustainability

In 2023, some airports will lift the ‘liquid ban,’ allowing passengers to carry liquids, pastes, creams, and gels without the 3-ounce (100-milliliter) limit or the small zip-lock bag requirement.

Some travelers may have already encountered early versions of the new scanners that let you keep your liquids and electronics in your carry-on bag. These scanners will be more widely available in 2023, with the UK expected to roll them out at airports this year.

Watch for more sustainability promises around air travel as the climate crisis continues to gain urgency.

A key part of this is the rise of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), which are derived from various sources like waste oils, vegetable oils, and algae. Virgin Atlantic has announced plans to trial the first transatlantic carbon 'net-zero' flight using SAF in 2023, following similar initiatives by other airlines.

Another focus is on making the interior of aircraft cabins more sustainable by using fewer metals, plastics, and fabrics.

We spoke with Martin Darbyshire, cabin designer at tangerine, a design agency behind some of the most innovative cabins in recent years. He stressed, 'As designers, we have a responsibility to reduce complexity, weight, and cost, while delivering more durable, repairable, and recyclable solutions for the airline industry. Our clients demand this, and we owe it to society to make it happen.'

Darbyshire adds that it's 'astonishing' it has taken so long for momentum to build. 'From 2023 onwards, environmental, social, and corporate governance will undoubtedly take center stage.'

Above: The new COMAC C919 passenger aircraft from China. Image Credit: CNS/AFP via Getty Images