NEW DELHI: There’s hope for all those who regret not flying the
Concorde
- the only commercial
supersonic aircraft
— or perhaps miss it.
US major
United
has signed aircraft purchase agreement with
Boom Supersonic
for 15 ‘Overture’ supersonic aircraft, once it “meets United’s demanding safety, operating and sustainability requirements”, with an option for 35 more aircraft.
This planned net-zero carbon aircraft is to fly on 100% sustainable aviation fuel and start carrying passengers in 2029.
As per plans, Overture will have a seating capacity of 65-88 passengers; cruising altitude of 60,000 feet; and a top speed of 1.7 mach with a range of 4,250 nautical miles (about 7,871 km).
With these technical specifications, it may cut New York-London travel time from 6.5 hours at present to 3.5 hours; New York-Frankfurt to 4 hours from current 7 and San Francisco-Tokyo to six hours from over 10 at present.
United CEO Scott Kirby said: “United continues on its trajectory to build a more innovative, sustainable airline and today’s advancements in technology are making it more viable for that to include supersonic planes. Boom’s vision for the future of commercial aviation, combined with the industry’s most robust route network in the world, will give business and leisure travellers access to a stellar flight experience. 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.”
Boom Supersonic founder-CEO Blake Scholl said: “The world’s first order of net-zero carbon supersonic aircraft marks a significant step toward our mission to create a more accessible world. At speeds twice as fast, United passengers will experience all the advantages of life lived in person, from deeper, more productive business relationships to longer, more relaxing vacations to far-off destinations.”
Concorde — the only supersonic commercial airliner — flew between 1969 and 2003 after which it was retired.
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