Boeing unveiled their new 787 Dreamliner to the public this week at the Farnborough Airshow. The aircraft promises new levels of passenger well-being, delivering the occupants with fewer headaches, less dizziness and fatigue. In an interview with the BBC, Thomson Airways’ Communications Director Christian Cull explains how this is achieved, including supplying cleaner cabin air.

Thomson’s website explains that this is due to “gaseous filtration”, but the fundamental reason rarely gets a mention: fresh air will be brought in from outside instead of through the engines using “bleed air” as it is on every other airliner built since the 1960s. In fact, this is a throwback to that same “bleed-free” technology used in the early days of jet airliners and will eliminate the chance of highly-toxic engine oil vapours entering the cabin - those contaminants and “foul-smelling odours” Thomson are referring to.

Instead of being coy about using a bleed-free air supply, Boeing and the airlines should be proud of this method of supplying clean, safe air.