Wingtip extensions have become prevalent in recent years and have saved airlines billions in fuel costs
Boeing calls the odd-looking, upturned wingtips on aircraft “blended winglets.” Airbus calls them “sharklets.” And Southwest Airlines, in ads, simply calls them “little doohickeys.”
Whatever the name, these wingtip extensions have become prevalent in aviation, saving airlines billions of dollars in fuel costs.
The newest, and funkiest-looking, version was used on a United Airlines commercial flight for the first time last month. The new design features the upturned wingtip but adds a downward-facing sword and sinister-looking pointed tips, which together make it a “split scimitar winglet.”
Winglets might look cool and represent one of the more radical changes to the appearance of modern jets, but in truth, they’re all business. read more »