The British have found a clever solution to aircraft carrier design by incorporating two separate islands with independent exhaust and air intake systems. This design offers several advantages over a single large island.

One advantage is that the two smaller islands have a smaller combined footprint, which creates more space on the flight deck. This additional space allows for a full off-site construction of each unit. Another advantage is that each island can mount powerful radar systems without interference. If the radars were mounted closer together in a shared space, there would be significant interference.

However, there are some drawbacks to this design. Navigation is typically handled from the front island, while aircraft operations are carried out from the rear island. This requires heavy reliance on an intercom system for communication, as in-person communication between the two islands is not possible. Some people argue that the two islands detract from the aesthetic appeal of a carrier, but this could simply be a matter of getting used to.

The innovative approach of using two islands is currently employed in two Queen Elizabeth-class carriers: HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales. Both ships were commissioned in 2017 and 2019 respectively. Aside from the dual islands, these carriers also feature facilities such as a cinema, five gyms, and four galleys with a staff of 27.