easyJet Calls On Kids to Design Aircraft of the Future

easyJet is now launching a competition to challenge the brightest young minds to design their vision for future flying - a zero-emission passenger plane. The competition, open from 18-31 October 2021, is calling on school children up and down the U.K., aged from 7-16 to design a passenger plane for travelling across Europe, powered by a sustainable energy source.

The competition has launched just in time for UK half-term. Families flying with easyJet over the holidays are encouraged to pack their pencil cases, for kids to take inspiration from their flight for their design, and help parents keep them occupied on board.

All designs will be judged by a panel representing world class experts in flying, sustainability, design and zero-emission technology. easyJet’s First Officer Debbie Thomas, who is also an engineer and zero-emission aircraft modeller, will be joined on the panel by easyJet’s Director of Sustainability Jane Ashton; Glenn Llewellyn from aircraft manufacturer Airbus who is currently leading their zero-emission aircraft programme; Jeff Engler, CEO of Wright Electric which is developing a zero-emission short-haul plane; and automotive transportation designer Frank Stephenson, best known for his iconic car designs for MINI and Fiat 500, as well as recent work designing electric flying vehicles.

Children will be able to enter the competition by drawing their zero-emission aircraft design on paper or tablet, complete with notes and descriptions highlighting how their aircraft works and why they have chosen the elements of their design. Successful designs must consider both technical and creative elements of aircraft and the reasons for including them, such as the materials used, patterns, shapes and colours of the plane, how it will take off and land and most importantly, what sustainable source will power it. Entries will be judged on the quality of the design, interpretation of the theme, creativity, innovation, practicality and most of all, how the design has considered sustainability and the environment.  Entries will be judged and shortlisted in two age categories – age 7-11 years and age 12-16 years, where a winner and runner-up will be awarded in each category.

The winning entry will receive a trip to the easyJet Training  Centre in London Gatwick and an experience in a full-flight simulator, plus return easyJet flights to anywhere on the airline’s network for the winner’s immediate family, as well as a 3-D model and rendering of their design, produced and signed by Frank Stephenson.

In addition, the winner of the 12-16 year age category will also win a trip to Airbus and a chance to feature on Frank Stephenson’s YouTube podcast channel to discuss their design. Runners up will also be in with a chance to receive a signed rendering of their design.