BOOM!!! Supersonic flights return, United orders 15 supersonic aircraft
Supersonic flights may soon become a reality. Or, rather, that is what United Airlines' announcement suggests. The American airline [...]
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I supersonic flights may soon become a reality. Or, rather, that is what the United Airlines announcement suggests.
In this article:
The American company announced the partnership With Denver-based aerospace company Boom Supersonic, to add new aircraft to its fleet and to work together on a sustainable project that paves the way for a supersonic aviation future.
We're the first U.S. airline to sign an agreement for @boomaero's 'Overture' airliners which are expected to be net-zero carbon and connect 500+ cities in nearly half the time. Taking off in 2029: https://t.co/aTeMBwXa10 #BoomSupersonic pic.twitter.com/GOeag9c1HF
- United Airlines (@united) June 3, 2021
United's announcement
There are as many as 15 Boom Supersonic Overture jets that United Airlines has pre-ordered (but could become 35 if the company satisfies the U.S. carrier).
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Overture promises to be the first carbon-neutral aircraft, designed to fly on sustainable 100% aviation fuel. Most importantly, it promises to be twice as fast as current aircraft. United's idea is to use it on the route Newark - London (three and a half hours), Newark - Frankfurt (four hours) and San Francisco - Tokyo (six hours).
"United's goal is to become an airline. increasingly innovative and sustainable, and current technological advances are making the inclusion of supersonic aircraft in this project more feasible. Boom's vision for the future of commercial aviation, combined with the airline industry's most robust route network, will give business and leisure travelers access to a stellar flying experience," United top executives commented.
Introducing the United supersonic fleet.@United will purchase up to 50 Overture airliners and fly the fleet on 100% sustainable aviation fuels. https://t.co/zVG2aMCVKx #BoomSupersonic pic.twitter.com/kg9eoFT2Ww
- Boom Supersonic (@boomaero) June 3, 2021
What are supersonic flights
Fifty years ago the Concorde, a supersonic transport plane that seemed to come out of the future. Its life ended, however, in 2003, after the terrible crash in 2000 that saw Air France Flight 4590 crash just after takeoff from Paris Charles de Gaulle killing 113 people. Now, it seems supersonic flights are about to be dusted off.
The former British Airways concurrency at Heathrow Airport.
Back in late 2020, Boom Supersonic unveiled the prototype XB-1. Not exactly a passenger aircraft, a kind of military aircraft with a seat for the pilot only. It was only the beginning, however, evidence of the company's willingness to develop innovative technologies capable of halve within a decade the time of flights. Because supersonic planes, which NASA and several private companies are also working on, are exactly that: planes that exceed the speed of sound that, "abandoned" by Air France after the crash and by British Airways because of passenger distrust, now seem to want to return.
Supersonic flights according to Bloom
Founded in 2014 by engineer and former Amazon manager Blake Scholl, the Boom Supersonic enlisted aviation veterans and raised tens of millions of dollars from investors before even presenting a single prototype. The company's goal? To create a supersonic passenger jet that is also economically sustainable and, above all, safe. There was talk in October 2020 of 5,000 for a round trip flight London - New York (with the Concorde you would pay $12,000) at a record speed of 2,300 km/h. The distance would be covered in three and a half hours, while in less than seven it would be possible to go from Los Angeles to Sydney.
Initially, Scholl counted on flying the first passengers in 2020. Now there is talk instead of 2029 for the first commercial flights. What is certain is that several companies - United Airlines, but also Virgin Atlantic and Japan Airlines - have already pre-ordered their jets.
