Good news for all long-distance travelers: The potential flight times for intercontinental flights are likely to be significantly reduced in a few years. The company Boom Supersonic has presented the new design of its supersonic jet. This could reduce flight times from London to New York to just three and a half hours.
The so-called “Boom Sonic Overture” is set to change travel and become the fastest plane in the world. According to the manufacturer’s website, it should reach speeds of 2,100 kilometers per hour. For comparison: an average airliner flies at speeds of up to 930 kilometers per hour.
The aircraft features four small engines and gull wings to improve speed and stability. The new engine design was also specifically developed in such a way that aircraft noise can be reduced despite the enormous speed.
Among other things, the “Overture” does without an afterburner, which means that the noise emissions of the aircraft are lower. Important for volume and speed: The outer skin is constructed in such a way that air resistance is minimal. This is also intended to maintain fuel efficiency at supersonic speeds.
According to Boom Supersonic, the aircraft will have a range of 7871 kilometers when fully manned. However, there is still a long way to go before the plane will be available for scheduled flights. The manufacturer states that it should be ready in 2029.
Should the design now presented remain, the aircraft should be able to carry 65 to around 80 passengers. Blake Scholl, Founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, said in an interview with The Evening Standard: “Aviation has not seen a major leap in decades. Overture is revolutionary in its design and will fundamentally change how we think about distance [. ..] With more than 600 routes around the world, Overture will make the world more accessible for millions of passengers.”
Only the legendary Concorde existed as an aircraft with comparably high speeds. However, after a crash in Paris in 2000, regular Concorde flights were finally discontinued in 2003.
Quellen: Boom Supersonic, “Evening Standard”, “Business Insider”
