The last Concorde supersonic flight landed in 2003.
For nearly two decades, travelers, regardless of their wealth, have been confined to subsonic aircraft.
But plans for a high-speed commercial aircraft for the 21st century may be starting to take off now.
Miami to London in less than 5 hours: This is American Airlines's promise to deliver a new generation of supersonic jets.
The Dallas-based supercarrier has announced a "contractto purchase up to 20 Overture aircraft, with options for an additional 40 of hers."
Its rival Unitedhas already paid a deposit for 15 new planes.
They will be manufactured by Denver-based Boom Supersonic.
But will it happen? These are important questions and answers.
What was wrong with the Concorde?
This Anglo-French jet made its first test flight in 1969 and from 1976 until 2003 he carried paying passengers for Air France and British Airways.
This plane flew with up to 100 passengers. Mach 2.04 at a time – equivalent to 1,350 miles per hour at cruising altitude of 60,000 feet. Travelers from London and Paris to New York and Washington, DC arrived earlier than they left in local time.
But the Concorde had a noisy, thirsty military engine. His 1960s technique, used for the Anglo-French project, was so challenging that the heat generated by friction during supersonic flight stretched the aluminum fuselage by about 15 inches.
The plane was hit by a combination of high oil prices, low demand and safety concerns following his 2000 Paris crash that killed 113 people..
What's the latest plan?
Denver-based Boom Supersonic is developing a new airliner known as the Overture.
The proposed 'SST' – supersonic transport – will have a range of 4,890 miles, about one-third that of the Concorde, and fly at Mach 1.7.
At 60,000 feet, ground speed equates to approximately 1,050 mph. Slower than Concorde, but about twice as fast as current short-haul aircraft. They tend to fly at Mach 0.85.
"Sustainable supersonic flight could turn a three-day business trip into his one, long-distance relationships could thrive, and humanitarian missions could save more lives." It will be like this,” the company said.
When will it be ready?
"Overture will roll out in 2025, begin test flights in 2026, and carry passengers by 2029," he says of Boom Supersonic.
However, in 2017, the company announced that he would operate scheduled flights by 2023.
Number of passengers.
This is one of the few odd uncertainties. American Airlines' order announcement said, "The Overture is designed to carry 65 to 80 passengers."
Boom initially said it could accommodate 55 travelers, but the company now says it can accommodate up to 88 – which is approaching Concorde capacity.
How much space do you have?
"Enough," according to Boom. The company said: Enjoy plenty of room to work or relax, a large entertainment screen and dedicated under-seat storage.
This aircraft resembles a Concorde with very little personal space.
Helen Coffey,Head of Travel for The Independent,last month reviewed the design plans for theaircraft to increase speed and stability. There is a Gullwing. Additionally, the plane's newly designed fuselage, which is larger in the front and smaller in the rear, should help reduce drag.
Where does the overture fly?
Boom says there are 600 combinations of cities. Feasible routes include long stretches across oceans. A "sonic boom" that breaks the sound barrier requires Overture to fly at subsonic speeds over the ground.
Much more suitable for trans-Atlantic routes than for trans-Pacific routes due to range constraints - Sydney cannot be reached non-stop, only US and Japanese A possibility is Seattle-Tokyo, which is within range.
Travel from cities on the east coast of the United States, such as Boston, New York, and Miami, to London, Paris, Amsterdam, and other European hubs is the main focus. likely to constitute a large market. In addition to major South American destinations from Miami, flights to Hawaii from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle are also feasible.
How much time can you save?
It all depends. At the launch of Overture at last month's Farnborough Air Show, the company claimed that he, like the Concorde, would fly from London to New York in 3.5 hours. Given the top speed, it looks frankly impossible. Even 4 hours looks ambitious.
However, the problem with Overture is that the route must be towards the limits of range in order to have a clear speed advantage. Saving two hours on a typical five-hour flight from California to Honolulu may not be enough differentiation for supersonic travel.
On the route from London to Chicago or Toronto, the most direct route he traverses over 1,000 miles of land, greatly diminishing the speed advantage.
Can I fly between the US and Australia?
When Boom first announced its plans, it had a design speed of Mach 2.2, well over twice his conventional aircraft, and a 7,500-mile Los Angeles-Sydney flight. was expected to take him less than seven hours. Even with a refueling stop, the company promised to "leave LA at 7am, enjoy an operetta in Sydney, and be back before midnight."
What happens when an airplane breaks the sound barrier.
Nothing from the perspective of passengers and crew. On the surface, it sounds like thunder.
How much does it cost to fly compared to a regular aircraft?
Fares have not been announced. Airlines determine the price. Mr Boom said:
Is it safe?
American Airlines said: "Under the terms of the contract, Boom must meet industry standard operating, performance and safety requirements and other customary conditions of American Airlines prior to delivery of the Overture."
2000 's accident in Paris involved an Air France Concorde that had just taken off for New York and had nothing to do with supersonic flight.
Which airline will fly it.
American Airlines and United Airlines say they have purchased the jet and paid a security deposit.
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic show no interest in buying jets, which would be perfect for US and Caribbean routes.
Before the Concorde took to the skies, airlines such as Air India, Lufthansa and Qantas were trying to order British-France supersonic aircraft. However, their interest never translated into actual sales.
What about the environmental footprint?
Despite having a much higher carbon footprint per passenger than an economy class traveler on a conventional aircraft, the manufacturers say Overture is "speed, safety and optimized for efficiency and sustainability.”
"Overture is the first supersonic aircraft designed with a focus on sustainability from day one," he says Boom. “We are optimizing our aircraft to support 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and facilitate net-zero carbon operations.”
Hypersonic Flight: Fact or Fact? Science fiction?
Every few years a British traveler seems to be told that he will be able to get to Australia in two hours (currently the fastest journey he takes is 17 hours).
I believe hypersonic travel is the key. The idea is to propel an airliner beyond the Earth's atmosphere and fly at perhaps 5,000 miles per hour before landing. But such a project clearly lacks the cash and political will.