America set to become largest customer of the Boom supersonic ultra-fast jet plane
Boom Supersonic is a Colorado-based startup that's leading the development of supersonic aircraft to usher in a new era of commercial air travel. In June 2021, it partnered with United Airlines, which ordered 15 of Boom's $200 million aircraft, Overture, with an option for 35 more. The deal is worth $3 billion.
"Our mission has always been about connecting people and now working with Boom, we'll be able to do that on an even greater scale," United CEO Scott Kirby said.
Following United, American Airlines announced an order for 20 Overture jets on Tuesday. The company has an option for 40 more and is set to become the largest operator of the supersonic plane.
"Looking to the future, supersonic travel will be an important part of our ability to deliver for our customers," American's CFO Derek Kerr said. "We are excited about how Boom will shape the future of travel both for our company and our customers."
Japan Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airways are the only other carriers to take interest in the jet. JAL invested $10 million in Boom Supersonic in 2017 and has the option to buy 20 Overtures in a pre-order agreement.
Boom's aircraft may also fly the US president as the US Air Force is interested in using Overture as a future "Air Force One."
Boom hopes to get travelers flying greater than the speed of sound by 2030, less than 30 years since the iconic Concorde's retirement from the skies in 2003.Overture is a Concorde-like plane that plans to fly at Mach 1.7, or about 1,300 miles per hour, which is greater than the speed of sound.
The jet will have a range of up to about 4,900 miles with the capability to connect over 600 city pairs in record time, like Miami to London in five hours or Los Angeles to Honolulu in three hours.
Overture aims to also fly above traditional aircraft at a cruising altitude of 60,000 feet. No current commercial aircraft can currently access that height.
The New York-London route is a prime candidate for the aircraft with United touting a three-hour and 30-minute journey time from its hub at Newark Liberty International Airport to the UK capital. Newark-Los Angeles would be slightly shorter if overland flights are permitted, however, current laws only allow supersonic flights over water due to the loud sonic boom. So, the Overture will only fly at Mach 0.97 as it crosses land.
Since the rollout of its first prototype, XB-1, also known as Baby Boom, the plane is still on track to fly at supersonic speeds, but its design has been tweaked to offer better efficiency and reduced noise. Specifically, the plane now has one extra engine, has reduced capacity, and its fuselage and gull wings were reconfigured. The modifications will decrease the jet's overall operating costs and noise pollution, according to Boom.
With its new design, the Overture will be configured in a 1-1 all-business class layout and carry between 65 and 80 passengers. Previously, it planned to carry up to 88 travelers.
Overture, in its service for United and American, will be net-zero carbon and be powered by sustainable aviation fuel. But making Overture mainstream would require an expansion of a sustainable aviation fuel infrastructure as the biofuels are currently limited to certain airports.
Overture is expected to debut in 2025 with its first flight planned for 2026. The first passengers are expected to fly on Overture in 2029, truly marking the beginning of a new era for supersonic travel.
Source: Insider
|
|
|
|
