Superyacht-cum-Blimp

A 490ft-long futuristic luxury mega-boat that’s perfect for high-flyers - it can fly and sail!

Yacht lovers around the world have been wowed by a bold new futuristic concept, which was unveiled by Italian design firm Lazzarini.

The company’s latest luxury yacht has a unique and extraordinary design feature - it is able to fly as well as sail across the world’s oceans. Dubbed the ‘Air Yacht’, the concept images of the craft has revealed four solar-powered electric propellers and two helium-filled blimps on a dry carbon fibre structure. This allows the luxury yacht to reach 60 knots, enabling it to fly, hover and float on water!

While the Air Yacht stays in the air, the blimps are inflated with a gas that is lighter than the air – in this case helium – while it is accelerated by its giant propeller.

Although the cost of the air yacht has not yet been released, Lazzarini says it has been designed with billionaire private owners in mind. The craft boasts all the decadent accessories and amenities of a prestige boat and will have an overall length of approximately 300 feet (150 m), with a width of 260 feet (80 m). The the main central deck will be 260 feet in length and 30 feet (10 m) wide with luxurious suites built to slot between the two blimps. These five passenger suites have been created to offer impressive sky window views. There’s also a wide, windowless viewing platform behind each blimp, which lets passengers see the waves beneath them when they’re in the water, or alternatively get some fresh air at 5,000 feet. 

Air Yachts’ twin blimps consist of 400,000m3 of compressed helium powered by eight counter rotating engines, each powered by ultra-light batteries and solar panels.

According to Lazzarini, the craft can fly at a maximum speed of 60 knots — about 70 mph — for more than 48 hours. 

Both blimps are connected by four carbon bridges to a central compartment, through which passengers can walk. Serving as a communal space for passengers to gather, this central compartment is equipped with upscale facilities for relaxation and dining. Passengers will also have use of a beautiful swimming pool and comfortable carpeted lounge.