Airline's plan to return Princess Flying Boat to the skies

Originally developed in the 1950s by Saunders-Roe, the flying boat was created as a luxurious transatlantic passenger aircraft. 

It was the biggest all-metal flying boat to have ever been constructed, but the project was scrapped before it truly got off the ground, with only three prototypes ever being produced.

Now however, 60 years on from its last flight, the aircraft is set to make a return to the skies, thanks to a £1 billion investment programme by Virgin Atlantic.

Project lead Avril Folle said: "Developments in lightweight materials and more efficient engines have meant the time is right to look again at this magnificent aircraft.

"We believe there is a gap in the luxury trans-Atlantic travel industry and what could be more luxurious than the Princess."

The new aircraft will be constructed from a specially-developed light-weight alluminium alloy, while the original Proteus engines will be replaced by a propeller variation of the powerful Rolls Royce engine used on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Although the new aircraft will not match competitors for speed, Virgin Atlantic said they believed the Princess would be able to offer an unparalleled level of comfort that would appeal to 'high net worth' travellers.

"We estimate flight times to New York, from a Thames terminal at London City Airport, will be around 18 hours. But that will be like 18 hours spent in one of the world's finest hotels," said Ms Folle.

Virgin Atlantic said it expected to carry out test flights within the next 12 months. It is not yet known whether the Isle of Wight will become one of the aircraft's destinations.

One of the luxury bathrooms set to be installed in the new Princess Flying Boat.