Airlines have largely abandoned polished aluminum fuselages, a look American Airlines notably dropped in 2013, in favor of painted skins and composite construction to reduce weight and fuel burn.
Historically many airliners used alclad aluminum skins—an Alcoa trademark—known for strength and corrosion resistance and a bright finish. Modern manufacturing and coatings favor painted or composite surfaces rather than bare metal.
Captain Petter Hörnfeldt of the Mentour Pilot YouTube channel pointed out that the shift was driven by practical concerns about weight and operating costs rather than aesthetics. He emphasized the fuel and cost implications of heavier finishes.
Aircraft makers and airlines continue to optimize weight throughout cabins and airframes. Seat makers such as Recaro and Expliseat now offer economy and ultra-light seats weighing roughly 8.8 to 22 pounds per passenger to help reduce fuel consumption.
This report is based on information originally published by The Autopian.
Read the full article at The Autopian.
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