The Luxury Travel Bible - HIGH FLYER: The Future is Supersonic (Again)

HIGH FLYER: The future is supersonic (Again)

“WHEN YOU can get there in half the time, where will you go?” is the question Boom Technology is asking us all.  Supersonic flight has existed for 70 years, but until now, it hasn’t been efficient enough for routine travel.  What if there was an airliner so efficient that airlines could offer fares 75% lower than Concorde, about the same price as today’s business class tickets.

 

A year ago Boom Technology unveiled the XB- 1 Supersonic Demonstrator, the fastest civil aircraft ever made, and the first independently developed and privately-funded supersonic jet.  The XB-1 is prototype for the Boom supersonic passenger airliner. Boom's jet will cut the current 15-hour flying time between Los Angeles and Sydney by more than half. Cruising at Mach 2.2 (1,451mph), Boom jets are 10% faster than Concorde (which ended its services in 2003) and 2.6 times faster than other airliners Virgin is already working with Boom to develop this supersonic jet.

With up to 55 seats, the Boom aircraft can achieve load factors similar to or better than premium cabins in subsonic wide- bodies. With one spacious seat on each side of the aisle, each passenger has a large window, a personal overhead bin, and direct aisle access.

Final ticket prices will be set by airlines, but Boom is designing the aircraft so that airlines can operate profitably while charging the same fares as today's business class (although we won’t hold our breath on that). The ultimate vision is to reduce operating costs to make supersonic flight even more affordable.

 

The XB-1 is prototype for the Boom supersonic passenger airliner.  The XB-1 Supersonic Demonstrator is scheduled to fly in 2018. Following the first flight, Boom will pursue rigorous safety-testing and FAA certification of its passenger airliner.  Blake Scholl, CEO and Founder of Boom Supersonic says the intention is to the first record-setting passenger flights take off by the early 2020s.

Boom, based in Denver, brought together the top minds in aviation to build its modern supersonic passenger airline (think NASA, SpaceX and Boeing. While the design is new, every key technology (aerodynamics, materials, propulsion) has already been proven safe and reliable on other commercial aircraft. Supersonic test flights will be conducted near Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California, in partnership with Virgin Galactic’s The Spaceship Company.

The future is here. Book us a seat please. 

Lisa Edwards 24/10/17
Copyright © 2024 The Luxury Travel Bible
http://luxurytravelbible.com/printed.aspx?active_page_id=4119