In 2013, over 3 billion passengers took to the skies. As airlines aim to make flying as simple as taking the train, could everything people would normally associate with air travel – endless queues, bad food, cramped, uncomfortable seats – be about to change for the better?

From screaming children to drunk stag parties, being confined in an aircraft seems to bring out the worst in people. To cater to the different needs of passengers, Thomson is introducing seats and services for families and couples in a multi-million-pound refurbishment.

Only 6% of people feel that they use their time productively on flights. So Delta Air Lines has launched a new mentoring scheme that seats the 'biggest brains' in the world next to budding entrepreneurs to pass on their pearls of wisdom.

The information age has bred a new kind of consumer who seeks variety and adventure. From its drinks to its décor, cellar bar Whistling Shop immerses visitors in Old-London heritage while offering a familiar entry point.