American Airlines bets big on supersonic flight

i paid. It is still being designed and is many years away from flying.

Since the aircraft is manufactured by Boom Supersonic and there is no engine manufacturer yet, it is not to mention that it is ready to take off with an airliner on board. It is unknown how long it will take. Boom said it expects the aircraft to be operational by 2029. This is the first time a private company has built a supersonic aircraft. 

Given that the planes Americans agreed to buy exist only in computer-generated renderings and note the lengthy process of obtaining federal approval.

But other competitors are also planning supersonic airliners. . Spike Aerospace is developing a super-fast business his jet, andstartup his Hermeus is developing an airplane that travels five times faster than his, the speed of sound. increase. 

"I'll explain it as best I can, but I wouldn't say it's likely that these planes will fly by then," said the aviation industry consultancy. said Craig Jenks, president of Airline/Aircraft Projects. CBS Moneywatch. "Everything about it is completely new. Considering how long it takes to build a plane that's not so novel, it's logical to say it's going to be later [than 2029]." 92}

American's deposit amount was not disclosed. Called the Overture, the new aircraft has a list price of $200 million, but manufacturers typically give airlines big discounts. 

The deal puts American Airlines, the largest airline in the United States, in the position to own the world's largest supersonic jet fleet. The deal includes an option for the airline to purchase 40 of his additional aircraft carrying 65 to 80 of his passengers, Boom Supersonic said in an announcement Tuesday. 

American Airlines believes supersonic flight will play an important role for airlines. 

Derek Carr, American Airlines' chief financial officer, said in a statement: "Looking into the future, supersonic travel will be an important part of our ability to offer our customers. “We are very excited to see how Boom will shape the future of travel for both us and our customers.”

Last year, United purchased 15 of the same aircraft. agreed.

``Many were the first to get burned''

Almost 20 years have passed since the last supersonic passenger flight by the British and French Concorde aircraft. Stratospheric cost and safety concerns.

"The idea of ​​being able to revive supersonic speeds is an exciting idea, but a lot of people got burned the first time, especially the cost," Jenks said. “When you break through the sound barrier that you have to compensate for by charging high enough, you get this fantastic cost inefficiency.”

He said it signaled he was bullish about business travel rebounding from the low levels of the pandemic. 

"It is interesting that the order came out at about the same time that everyone is worried about the resumption of business travel," he said. "This goes against the whole idea that people don't fly for business in the same way or in the same amount. This goes against the statement that there will always be demand for a premium and a faster, more efficient method.

Expensive for most flyers 

A ticket to fly from New York to London in about three and a half hours costs $4,000 to $5,000. and about 30% higher than that. Cost to fly the same route with a business class ticket today. 

"In the 1960s, many airlines signed orders for these planes, but ultimately could not fly them because of the cost," said Travel Anna. Henry Harvelt of the List told his Associated Press.

Again, this is expected to be prohibitively expensive for most consumers.

"This first version of the plane is not for the majority of us sitting in the back of the plane behind the curtain. Supersonic travel may seem very appealing." no,” he said.

Overture is expected to carry passengers at about twice the speed of today's fastest commercial aircraft.

"Tens of millions of passengers fly business class each year on routes where Overture provides a significant speedup," Blake Scholl, his CEO of Boom, said in an interview. He also believes airlines can make a profit on ticket sales.

If only I could get my hands on a plane.  

looking for engine maker

Boom is looking for an engine maker with Rolls and his Royce. Another of his ambitions for the company might not be as fast as the aircraft itself. The goal is to ensure that aircraft can only fly on sustainable aviation fuel. This fuel, often made from plant material, is costly and in short supply. 

"I'm really surprised that the American people decided to announce this despite the doubts as to when the engine for this plane will be available," Hart said. Berto said. "It takes years to design, test and develop a new engine that needs to be proven safe."

Sustainable aviation fuels are just getting started. 

Conclusion: "This plane won't show up at the airport in the next few years. This is years away and it could be delayed further," he said. . 

According to Boom, the Overture program will cost him $6 billion to $8 billion. 

Last month, Boom announced that it would redesign its planes to make them simpler and less expensive to manufacture and maintain. The most striking change is the switch from his three engines containing different types of tail sections to his four identical engines under delta-shaped wings.

A union representing American Airlines pilots questioned the timing of the airline's investment in planes that won't be available for at least several years. Since then, more than 9,300 flights have been cancelled. That's more than double his number of cancellations for United, Delta and Southwest Airlines, according to FlightAware.

Union spokesman Dennis Tager said, "Investing in the business today should be the sole focus of management." If there is no change in the way the }

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