Commercial Airplanes Will Soon Be Supersonic
Supersonic airplanes meant for commercial use may soon be a reality thanks to a new partnership American Airlines just formed.
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We all know that airplanes are the fastest way to travel. But what if there was an even faster method of getting from one place to the next? Introducing supersonic airplanes, the quickest type of aircraft ever to exist. Though companies are working on and manufacturing supersonic airplanes, it seems like an impossible quest to use them for standard carriers. American Airlines revealed on Tuesday that they’re ready to collaborate with Boom Supersonic to actualize commercial, fast-paced travel.
American Airlines announced that it’d be purchasing 20 supersonic airplanes from Supersonic Boom. The carrier has already put down its non-refundable deposit, so the agreement is relevantly set in stone. There’s also a possibility that American Airlines will purchase 40 more planes if the deal goes successfully. The aircrafts operate at unfathomable speeds and are 100% carbon neutral, making them more environmentally conscious aircraft.
So how fast are these supersonic airplanes? The Overture planes can fly at Mach 1.7, which is almost 1,700 miles per hour. That’s twice as fast as commercial aircraft utilized by carriers today. This would completely change the landscape of flying internationally, transferring passengers from continent to continent in only a couple of hours. Boom Supersonic’s CEO Blake Scholl elaborated on the quick flying times, stating that the Overture planes could transfer people from “New York to London in three and a half hours.” The speed of these flights is truly unprecedented and, if properly implemented, would change the nature of air travel worldwide.
Though many people are anticipating the arrival of these supersonic planes, commercial flights using these aircrafts won’t happen until years in the future. In fact, the first commercial Overture plane won’t likely be used until 2029. American Airlines stated that it would take a while for the carrier to test-run these planes and ensure they’re safe for travel. The airline has yet to release the routes for the supersonic airplanes’ test runs and hasn’t given any details about their trial plans either.
Though American Airlines just recently purchased the Overture planes, Boom Supersonic has been testing commercial supersonic airplanes for years. In 2020, the company released a prototype called the XB-1, which would be the design for future technology that would carry actual passengers. The plane is 71 feet long with three General Electric engines with 12,000 pounds of thrust. The model has a sharp, pointy spout which unfortunately obscures the pilot’s view. Cameras in the cockpit will be constructed to help aid the pilot’s viewpoint, despite the protruding nose of the aircraft.
Scholl elaborated on the supersonic airplanes’ sleek design and how it’s advantageous for breakneck speeds. The aircraft has a “carbon composite” on its frame, which helps the plane maintain its operations even under extreme temperatures from supersonic flight. The XB-1 also has a distinct fuselage which helps keep the aircraft quick and efficient, without dropping in speed during the flight.
Though supersonic airplanes feel like an invention of the future, both American Airlines and Boom Supersonic attempt to make supersonic flight a reality. By 2029, travelers will be flying to their desired destination in almost the blink of an eye.
