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AirYacht reveals radical 52m airship-yacht crossover concept

Flying yachts, once the stuff of our wildest, most outlandish dreams, are slowly inching closer to a reality. As the industry prepares for the 2022 Superyacht Design Festival , BOAT catches up with  Guillaume Hoddé, co-founder of AirYacht, and Franck Darnet, the yacht's designer, to learn more about an exciting concept that's set to take to the skies in 2026...

Swiss company AirYacht has unveiled a radical new concept that marries the flying power of an airship with the luxury amenities of a superyacht.

Capable of flying between 100 to 3,000 metres above the ground with an autonomous cruising time of around one week, the AirYacht's groundbreaking design is composed of two separate modules: a 200-metre helium-filled airship attached to an ultra-lightweight all-carbon 52-metre superyacht residence.  

The three-storey residence can be landed in its entirety or it can deploy a 12-person elevator to allow guests to disembark for a quick stopover.

Each module has its own complement of crew - the airship will have a crew of three and the residence will have a crew of 12. 

The AirYacht is the brainchild of Guillaume Hoddé and Matthieu Ozanne, who founded the company in 2017 and enlisted the design expertise of Franck Darnet , who most recently worked on the exteriors of 63.8 metre Atomic . Born in Nantes and immersed in the world of Vendée Globe racing boats, Darnet has a masterful knowledge of "weight performance" technology that makes him uniquely suited to the challenges of airborne yachts. 

The residence will have the same layout as a superyacht, with three decks, 750 square metres of indoor space and amenities including a gym, sauna, swimming pool and touch and go helipad.

Accommodation is provided for between ten and 12 guests in a five or six-cabin layout. Terraces, which can be used while the AirYacht is both underway and stationary, flank the starboard and port sides and there is an additional 120 square metre terrace-style lounge on the aft. 

Aerodynamic shape and low weight are crucial to the design of the AirYacht. In order to keep the vessel as lightweight as possible, the residence component won’t be fitted with engines. 

This creates additional space and increased flexibility to tailor the interior layout, while also allowing the residence to be built at AirYachts’ own facility without the need for a shoreside shipyard. When the residence is detached and on water, it will be towed by its tenders. 

The AirYacht aims to give passengers the freedom to roam anywhere in the world, from lakes and seas to deserts and mountains. “On a normal superyacht you have to stay at sea. You can’t cross a hill or a mountain,” said Franck Darnet. “Most of the beautiful things that you see on our planet - some of them are next to the shore [...] but a lot of them are inland.”

In order to conceptualise the residence, Darnet had to rethink various different aspects of design. To this end, the crew quarters are in the forward upper part of the residence - in the section that ‘plugs’ into the airship - in order to give the crew to access the airship module.

The AirYacht also features large sections of glazing in the hull that allows passengers to look down, “because the most spectacular things that exist when you are flying are on the floor,” said Darnet. 

While the AirYacht will be able to fly at dizzying heights of around 3,000 metres, the vessel is designed to cruise at heights of between 100 and 200 metres to allow for crystal-clear views of the world unfolding below. 

The AirYacht will require ‘early adopters’ for it to take off - both literally and figuratively. “This isn’t a new ship, or a new yacht or new plane. This is a completely new thing,” said Guillaume Hoddé, co-founder of AirYacht. ‘New concept, new design. It’s like a dream.”

Currently, the AirYacht is powered by hybrid technology. “In ten years, we hope to have a full hydrogen version,” added Hoddé.

The first AirYacht will be able to achieve top speeds of 50 knots and the first unit is due for completion in 2026.

Guillaume Hoddé will be attending the 2022 Superyacht Design Festival to shed more light on the AirYacht and discuss the future of flying-focused yacht designs. The event will be held in Milan from 22-24 June. Tickets are still available to purchase .

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​​The World’s First “Air Yacht” Would Sail in the Sky and Sea (With Zero Emissions)

Yachts and private planes make for luxurious ways to zip from one place to another, but recently, a businessman based in Germany and Italian designer Pierpaolo Lazzarini discovered what happens when they combine boats and jets: the ultra-sleek sky yacht. Equipped with eight counter-rotating electric engines powered by super-lightweight batteries and solar panels, the nearly 500-foot-long yacht can traverse the sky (and sea) at 60 knots for more than two days straight with zero emissions. Plus, aside from its full-electric mobility, the air yacht is sustainable in other ways too: It will be built entirely from carbon fiber, which is as high-strength as it is lightweight.

The 500-foot futuristic vessel comprises three main parts: a central compartment with a living room and dining area flanked by two inflatable helium blimps that house 10 suites.

Lazzarini’s design looks like something out of the future: a spacious living room and dining area housed within the sky yacht’s central torpedo-shaped structure that’s connected via eight carbon bridges (four on each side) to two 150-foot-long blimps. And the blimps that contain a whopping 14,125,867 cubic feet of helium that keep the vessel high in the sky, flanking the main compartment, aren’t just there to elevate the jet: Between the two, there are 10 guest suites, all of which boast 360-degree views.

The two balloon-like compartments on either side of the impressive vessel comprise an inflatable base that allows the innovative machine to float atop the water surface when the owner is in the mood to sail the sea versus the sky. Though being able to choose which medium makes the most sense for specific destinations sounds like an ideal way to travel, the sky yacht is, unfortunately, still quite a ways off from replacing typical ships and planes. 

The enormous sky yacht is too big to simply park at a marina while its guests climb aboard, so it comes equipped with a retractable staircase.  

For the private owner who commissioned the estimated $627,511,500 sky yacht, however, his new mode of transportation is the way of the future. In fact, Lazzarini has promised that a first-scale model prototype will lift into the air later this year, and a collection of slightly varying designs (of different lengths) is currently in the early phases of both engineering and prototyping. So, perhaps we’ll all be passengers onboard a boat that flies before the end of the decade.

June 8, 2024

World’s First “Air Yacht” Would Sail In The Sky And Sea With Zero Emissions

Luxury and innovation unite in an awe-inspiring creation that challenges the very boundaries of travel. Picture a vessel that effortlessly glides through the endless skies and the serene seas, offering a lifestyle of opulence and sustainability. The brainchild of a German businessman and the visionary Italian designer Pierpaolo Lazzarini, the “Air Yacht” concept has shattered conventional notions of yachts and private planes. Powered by eight counter-rotating electric engines fueled by lightweight batteries and solar panels, this nearly 500-foot-long masterpiece takes to the skies while leaving behind a pristine, emission-free environment. But this is just the beginning of the story as we delve into the futuristic marvel that is set to redefine luxury travel.

The Sky Yacht Concept: A Fusion of Luxury and Eco-Friendliness

Imagine a 150-meter-long vessel connected by four bridges to two side blimps, creating an impressive width of 80 meters. These two inflatable helium blimps are subdivided into hive areas or cells, ensuring the hermetic isolation of each helium compartment. This cutting-edge design by Pierpaolo Lazzarini offers the best of both worlds: a yacht that can sail the sea and a private jet that can soar through the sky. When the owner decides to take to the sky, the release of compressed helium from tanks within the blimps elevates the air yacht. Conversely, when it’s time to sail the sea, the air yacht can float on the water thanks to the depressurization of helium and its ballast anchor system.

Eco-Friendly Propulsion: Flying and Sailing with Zero Emissions

The Air Yacht incorporates eight counter-rotating electric engines, each boasting 950 horsepower, all powered by ultra-lightweight batteries and solar panels. This propulsion system allows the air yacht to reach a maximum speed of 60 knots and continuously travel for more than two days with zero emissions. Furthermore, the entire structure is constructed from carbon fiber, a material renowned for its high strength and lightweight properties. With helium, lightweight batteries, solar panels, and carbon fiber, the Air Yacht represents a pinnacle of sustainable air travel. Read: Pioneering wind-powered cargo ship sets sail with groundbreaking giant metal ‘wings’

The Air Yacht Would Offer Luxurious Living Spaces

The central torpedo-shaped structure of the air yacht hosts a spacious living room and dining area, providing an elegant setting for relaxation and entertainment. Connecting this central compartment to the two side blimps are four carbon bridges (two on each side), ensuring structural integrity and ease of movement. Between the two blimps, passengers can find ten en-suite staterooms, five in each balloon, all offering breathtaking 360-degree views. The owner’s master cabin, located in the central part, also boasts a stunning 360-degree view. In total, the Air Yacht can accommodate up to 22 guests in 11 cabins.

Multi-Modal Travel: Sky or Sea, Your Choice

The air yacht’s inflatable bases in the two balloon-like compartments allow it to gracefully float on the water surface when the owner decides to sail instead of flying. This versatility provides an ideal way to choose the best mode of transportation for specific destinations. However, due to its enormous size, the air yacht cannot be parked at a marina. To overcome this limitation, it is equipped with a retractable staircase, allowing guests to board a smaller boat to reach the harbor.

Price and Future Prospects

The estimated cost of this extraordinary Air Yacht is a staggering $627,511,500. A German businessman, impressed by this revolutionary concept, has commissioned the construction of a first-scale model prototype, set to take flight by the end of 2022. Additionally, various designs of different lengths are in the early phases of engineering and prototyping. While the Air Yacht is not designed for public transportation or tourist purposes, it represents a significant leap forward in the world of private aviation and luxury yachts.

Sustainable Future: Sail the Sky Without Emissions

The Air Yacht offers a sustainable and eco-friendly mode of transportation, raising hopes for a future where travel leaves minimal environmental impact. Its innovative design and zero-emissions propulsion system pave the way for luxurious and environmentally conscious journeys. As Lazzarini Design Studio stated, “ With the Air Yacht, there is a way to sail the sky without emissions damaging the future .”

A Glimpse into the Future of Luxury Travel

The Air Yacht is not just a vessel; it’s a bold vision of the future of travel. Its luxury, sustainability, and versatility fusion represents a significant step forward in private aviation and yachting. While it may be a while before we all experience the thrill of sailing the sky, the Air Yacht offers a tantalizing glimpse into what may become a reality in the next decade.

Keep Reading: Plans for Electric Cruise Ship Revealed To Set Sail in 2030

• “ The World’s First “Air Yacht” Would Sail in the Sky and Sea (With Zero Emissions) .” Architectural Digest . Jessica Cherner. January 18, 2022.
• “ Bonkers: A Look At Lazzarini’s Concept ‘Air Yacht’ .” Simpleflying . Giacomo Amati. November 21, 2022.
• “ Air yacht concept by pierpaolo lazzarini sails both skies and seas with zero emissions .” Design Boom

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Italians are renowned for being at the forefront of design innovation . The new "Air Yacht" concept, developed by the Italian design studio Pierpaolo Lazzarini, is the latest proof of this incredible capacity. As the name suggests, the new Air Yacht is both a yacht that can sail the sea and a private jet that can fly its owner across the world. Let's have a closer look at this astonishing piece of futuristic design together.

The structure of the Sky Yacht

It might sound like sci-fiction, but it is true. Or, at least, the blueprint is already a reality. The Italian design studio Lazzarini has developed a luxurious and eco-friendly flying yacht. But what would it look like?

Imagine a 150-meter-long vessel connected by four bridges to two side blimps for a total width of 80 meters. Each of the two floating blimps would be divided into hives, or cells, acting as helium compartments. Indeed, when the private owner of the Air Yacht wants to take to the sky, all they have to do is release helium, compressed in tanks, in the two blimps.

On the other hand, when the owner is tired of seeing the world from above, they can decide to sail the sea. Indeed, in the lower part, the two balloons incorporate inflatable bases to allow the Air Yacht to float on the water. The depressurization of helium and its ballast anchor enables the Air Yacht to sail at a speed of five knots.

Four counter-rotating engines of 950 horsepower (hp) each are attached to the outer sides of the blimps. These are powered by ultra-light batteries and solar panels, allowing the Air Yacht to fly at a maximum speed of 60 knots for more than two days straight at zero emissions . Additionally, the entire structure has been designed to be built using carbon fiber, a high-strength and lightweight material.

With the use of helium, lightweight batteries, solar panels for the propulsion of the four engines, and lightweight carbon for the structure, the Air Yacht is at the forefront of sustainable air travel. In a statement, Lazzarini design studio stated:

"With the Air Yacht, there is a way to sail the sky without emissions damaging the future"

The Sky yacht's living spaces

If the external structure of the Air Yacht has the 'wow' factor, wait until you see what's inside...

The central, 80-meter-long, torpedo-shaped structure hosts a spacious living room and a dining room. Four carbon-made bridges, two on each side of the main structure, connect it to the two side blimps. Here, the owner's guests can find ten en-suite staterooms, five in each balloon. All ten suites offer breathtaking 360-degree views. The owner's master cabin, shown in the photo below, is instead located in the Air Yacht's central part, also offering a stunning 360-degree view.

Therefore, the Air Yacht can host up to 22 guests in 11 cabins. On the rooftop, guests will enjoy a swimming pool, while a helipad enables helicopters to take off and land to transfer the owner and their guests to the dry land. Indeed, the Air Yacht's dimensions prevent it from being parked at a marina. Besides the helipad, the Air Yacht also features a retractable staircase, allowing the guests to board a smaller boat to reach the harbor.

The estimated price of the Air Yacht is a whopping $627,511,500. Pierpaolo Lazzarini has promised the private owner who has commissioned the Air Yacht, a German businessman, to have a first-scale model prototype lifted in the air by the end of 2022. Additionally, a series of varying designs with different lengths is in the early phases of the engineering and prototyping process.

Would you like to board this beauty one day? Let us know by clicking on the comment button below!

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Meet the AirYacht, a Bonkers Superyacht-Blimp Hybrid Concept That Can Cruise Both Sea and Sky

The concept comprises a 197-foot superyacht and a 656-foot blimp that can be used together or separately., rachel cormack.

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AirYacht may not have the most original moniker, but the new concept is undeniably inventive.

Envisioned by Guillaume Hoddé and Matthieu Ozanne, the new two-in-one vessel comprises a luxe 197-foot superyacht and a giant 656-foot blimp that together enable cruising in either the skies or seas. The Swiss outfit that created it, which is also called AirYacht, says the two vessels can also be separated and used independently for even more versatility.

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The detachable balloon, known as the “airship,” is currently powered by a hybrid propulsion system, though the team hopes it will run exclusively on hydrogen in the future. With space for three crew, it can reportedly reach 50 knots at full tilt and fly up to roughly 9,800 feet above the ground. It also has an autonomous cruising time of around one week, according to the firm.

The AirYacht’s “lift” can deploy the superyacht without the airship needing to land (photo at top). When flying, the yacht is pulled into to the bottom of the blimp to become its passenger cabin.  Darnet Design/AirYacht

The adjoining superyacht, or “residence” as the designers call it, sports an aerodynamic hull crafted entirely from ultra-lightweight carbon to ensure it soars seamlessly through air or water. Spread across three levels, the living quarters span roughly 8,000 square feet and can accommodate up to 12 guests in a five or six-cabin layout. There are also amenities aplenty, including a Jacuzzi, pool, spa, gym, helipad and a garage for cars, toys and tenders.

Interestingly, the yacht itself doesn’t sport any engines as they add too much weight. As such, it will rely on the airship to get around. Hoddé told Robb Report the residence can be tugged by the airship when in water.

As for separating the two individual vessels, the AirYacht is equipped with an innovative launch system, or “lift”, which allows the superyacht to be gently lowered (or raised) without the airship ever needing to touch the ground.

The salon inside the superyacht.  Darnet Design/AirYacht

Penned by Franck Darnet of Darnet Design, the AirYacht is not to be confused with Lazzarini’s bonkers flying superyacht concept of the same name. (As we said, the moniker isn’t exactly original.) There are similarities, though; both yachts are powered by helium blimps and can take to the sky or sea.

AirYacht says orders are now open and the first delivery is planned for the end of 2026.

Check out more photos below:

Darnet Design/AirYacht

Rachel Cormack is a digital editor at Robb Report. She cut her teeth writing for HuffPost, Concrete Playground, and several other online publications in Australia, before moving to New York at the…

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