United Airlines Is Buying 15 Supersonic Jets That Can Get From Newark to London in 3.5 Hours
The first U.S. airline to sign commercial agreement with Boom Supersonic.
United Airlines announced on Thursday that it had struck a commercial agreement with Denver-based aerospace company Boom Supersonic to purchase 15 jets capable of flying at hyper-fast speed.
The 15 new “Overture” airliners will join United’s global fleet once they meet United’s safety, operating and sustainability requirements, with an option for an additional 25 aircraft. According to the airline, Overture is “expected to be the first large commercial aircraft to be net-zero carbon from day one,” and runs on 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel.
Introducing the United supersonic fleet.@United will purchase up to 50 Overture airliners and fly the fleet on 100% sustainable aviation fuels. https://t.co/zVG2aMCVKx #BoomSupersonic pic.twitter.com/kg9eoFT2Ww
— Boom Supersonic (@boomaero) June 3, 2021
The jets are slated to roll out in 2025 and will take flight in 2026. By 2029, United will allow the aircraft to carry passengers. The super fast planes are capable of flying at speeds of Mach 1.7 — twice the speed of today’s fastest airliners — allowing passengers to get to their destinations in half the time. Among the hundreds of potential routes: Newark to London in three and a half hours, Newark to Frankfurt in four hours and San Francisco to Tokyo in six hours.
United CEO Scott Kirby said the purchase of these sonic aircraft is in line with company’s plans for enhanced sustainability and connectivity.
“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,” he said.
In other travel news, Europe will officially welcome vaccinated foreigners as it eases restrictions.
