Boom Revolutionizes Air Travel with Return of Supersonic Civil Aircraft
By
Kaiya Yamamoto
1 min read
Humans Witness Return of Supersonic Air Travel
Twenty-one years after Concorde's retirement, Boom celebrated the return of supersonic civil aircraft by flying its XB-1 demonstrator. The company aims to start passenger flights in its $200 million Overture by 2029 and has already secured 130 orders from major airlines.
Key Takeaways:
- Boom successfully test flew its XB-1 demonstrator, marking the revival of supersonic air travel.
- Overture, expected to fly at Mach 1.7, has garnered 130 orders from airlines like American, Japan, and United.
- Aviation experts question the ambitious timeline, highlighting challenges related to high costs and overland flight restrictions due to sonic booms.
Analysis:
The return of supersonic air travel faces challenges in the commercial market, particularly concerning operating costs and overland flight limitations due to sonic booms. The development of Overture poses significant technical and regulatory hurdles.
Do You Know?
- Sonic booms: These are loud, explosive noises caused by the shock wave produced when an aircraft travels faster than the speed of sound.
- Overture: Boom's $200 million plane, designed to operate at supersonic speeds, is named Overture and aims to revolutionize air travel with its ultra-speed capabilities.