This New Supersonic Jet Can Fly From NYC To London In Just 3.5 Hours
Boom Supersonic’s jets are set to usher in a new era of supersonic travel while running on 100% sustainable aviation fuel.
The new “world’s fastest airliner” is named Overture, but it’s more of a second act for supersonic commercial jet travel.
Developed by Denver’s Boom Supersonic, over 26 million hours of designing and testing have been completed to ensure the Overture improves on the issues that plagued the Concorde, the last supersonic commercial jet to take flight in 2003.
Four wing-mounted engines that run on 100-percent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) strike a balance between weight and temperature, allowing the Overture to sustain Mach 1.7 (1,304 mph) at a relatively lower thrust, which cuts down on noise. Between 65-80 passengers will be able to travel at blistering speeds for up to 4,250 miles.
The New York Post published flight time comparisons between standard subsonic jet the Overture:
New York City to London:
Current travel time: Approximately 7 hours
Overture travel time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Los Angeles to Sydney:
Current travel time: Approximately 15 hours
Overture travel time: 8 hours
Tokyo to Seattle:
Current travel time: Approximately 9 hours
Overture travel time: 4 hours 30 minutes
“With no afterburners and buzz-free engines, Overture’s takeoffs will blend in with existing long-haul fleets, resulting in a quieter experience for both passengers and airport communities,” Boom said on its website, referencing the noise concerns that dashed hopes to widely produce and adoption of the Concorde.
Other environmental impacts were considered when designing the Overture, as Boom Supersonic aims to become a net zero carbon company by 2025.
In addition to using SAF, the fuselage itself is tapered from front to back to minimize drag and maximize efficiency at supersonic speed, while the gull-wing design improves airflow at lower speeds.
“Environmental performance is being considered in all aspects of Overture, from design and production to flight and end-of-life recycling,” Boom said on its website.
“The engineering team prioritizes circularity by repurposing used tooling, recycling components on the shop floor and leveraging additive manufacturing techniques that result in less manufacturing waste and lighter, more fuel-efficient products.”
Boom Supersonic says that two airlines and the United States Air Force have agreed to purchase Overture models.
United Airlines will buy 15 aircraft once safety and operating requirements are met, with options to purchase 35 more, while American Airlines agreed to initially purchase 20 supersonic Overture planes, the companies announced on Aug. 16.
But Overture’s supersonic jets are still years away from becoming a reality. Boom will build the jet at a new manufacturing plant in North Carolina and expects to roll out the first model in 2025, with the first flight in 2026, reports CNBC.
If the flight tests and certification process goes as scheduled, Boom says the Overture will enter commercial service by the end of the decade.