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United Airlines Orders Up To 50 Boom Supersonic Aircraft

  
Via:  Nerm_L  •  3 years ago  •  9 comments

By:   Justin Hayward (Simple Flying)

United Airlines Orders Up To 50 Boom Supersonic Aircraft
United Airlines has announced it will be the first US airline to operate supersonic passenger aircraft from Boom…

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Supersonic passenger aircraft are a throwback to the 1960s.  The technology approach adopted by Virgin Galactic will likely pave the way for much faster long-distance travel.  An electric lifting aircraft (possibly a blimp hybrid) can be used to obtain altitude, since range is not a concern, while the passenger aircraft can use clean hydrogen-oxygen fuel to achieve speed and distance.


S E E D E D   C O N T E N T



United Airlines today revelated that it will be the first US airline to go supersonic, placing an order with US-based Boom Supersonic for 15 aircraft. The two companies will work together on several operational and sustainability issues with the new aircraft. And if terms are met, United will purchase 15 aircraft, with an option to take 35 more.

The most likely routes, at least initially, would be transatlantic or transpacific. The same issues that Concorde faced with overland supersonic flights and sonic boom remain. The aircraft could fly from Newark to London Heathrow in three and a half and to Frankfurt in four hours. Transpacific, it could operate from San Francisco to Tokyo in just six hours.

Scott Kirby, United Airlines, CEO, said in a statement:

"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 travelers 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."

The Boom Overture


The Boom Overture will be a 65 to 88 seat premium aircraft, capable of reaching Mach 1.7. It will offer a range of up to 4250 NM (4888 miles).

Boom Supersonic's aircraft will offer a premium cabin with screens and plenty of personal space. Photo: Boom Supersonic

The Overture is the first aircraft planned to be net-zero carbon from launch, and this is part of the appeal to United. It uses a combination of materials, including carbon composites, titanium, and aluminum. And it can reach supersonic speeds without the use of afterburners (which Concorde, of course, used). It is also planned to operate fully with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

United Airlines and Boom will work together on sustainability issues, including accelerating the production of SAF.

In service by 2029


As part of the announcement, Boom has revealed more details about when the aircraft should be operational. It is hoped that the Overture will be rolled out in 2025 and take its first flight in 2026. It could then enter service by 2029.

A prototype aircraft has already been built, making Boom the furthest ahead of several companies working on supersonic aircraft. Its XB-1 prototype, a one-third-scale development just 68 feet long, was revealed in 2020.

With the prototype Boom XB-1 released, Boom is furthest ahead in the supersonic race. Photo: Boom Supersonic

United joins other airlines interested in supersonic


United Airlines is the first US airline to order the Boom Overture jet. But other airlines have also expressed interest or made pre-orders. According to a 2017 report by FlightGlobal, there were then commitments from five airlines to buy 76 aircraft. This included Virgin Atlantic and Japan Airlines.


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Nerm_L
Professor Expert
1  seeder  Nerm_L    3 years ago

Supersonic air travel is old school technology.  The future of long-distance travel will very likely be hypersonic flight.

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
1.1  TᵢG  replied to  Nerm_L @1    3 years ago
The future of long-distance travel will very likely be hypersonic flight.

One would expect that the future will yield faster speeds.    Reducing the time to get from A to B will always be the key objective.

However, since supersonic has been on hold, it is now progress to move from transonic to supersonic for passenger flights.

 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
1.1.1  seeder  Nerm_L  replied to  TᵢG @1.1    3 years ago
One would expect that the future will yield faster speeds.    Reducing the time to get from A to B will always be the key objective. However, since supersonic has been on hold, it is now progress to move from transonic to supersonic for passenger flights.

The feasibility and practicality of supersonic passenger travel has been demonstrated with the Concorde.  BOOM is only making incremental improvements to demonstrated technology.  

The problem of addressing carbon emissions coupled with emerging innovations could make these supersonic aircraft obsolete in the near future.  The BOOM supersonic aircraft could have a very short service life similar to that of the Airbus A380.  IMO gambling on supersonic passenger travel that is essentially based on 1960s technology is a pretty big gamble.

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
1.1.2  TᵢG  replied to  Nerm_L @1.1.1    3 years ago
The feasibility and practicality of supersonic passenger travel has been demonstrated with the Concorde. 

Yes.

BOOM is only making incremental improvements to demonstrated technology.  

But it is making supersonic transportation an option again.   Ergo ... progress.

IMO gambling on supersonic passenger travel that is essentially based on 1960s technology is a pretty big gamble.

Where do you read that the engineers of BOOM simply used 1960s technology??   The seed certainly suggests otherwise.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
2  JohnRussell    3 years ago

Good luck. Tickets for a transatlantic flight will be $5000 +. 

It will still be a niche clientele with little application to everyday use by everyday people. 

 
 
 
Ed-NavDoc
Professor Quiet
2.1  Ed-NavDoc  replied to  JohnRussell @2    3 years ago

Just another hyperexpensive  toy for the rich and affluent to maintain their extravagant lifestyles while the poor working blue collar stiffs can only dream about ever flying on it in our lifetimes.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
2.1.1  JohnRussell  replied to  Ed-NavDoc @2.1    3 years ago

I agree completely. 

 
 
 
JBB
Professor Principal
3  JBB    3 years ago

My proposal is to build a Transcontinental Zipline!

 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
3.1  seeder  Nerm_L  replied to  JBB @3    3 years ago

That's a good one!  jrSmiley_4_smiley_image.png

 
 

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