Imagine flying from New York to London and arriving fresh and ready in just three and a half hours. Thanks to the remarkable advancements of the new ‘Son of Concorde’ jet, this dream is closer than ever to becoming reality.
Breaking Barriers for the First Time
The excitement surrounding Boom’s ‘Son of Concorde’ spiked this week as its test model, known as the XB-1, reached a whopping 844 miles per hour during a trial flight. This impressive speed exceeds the sound barrier, typically at 761 miles per hour, by 83 miles per hour.
Launch day was charged with anticipation. The flight took off right on schedule at 11:22 AM Eastern time, and at 35,000 feet, it accomplished the extraordinary feat of going supersonic.
A Historic Achievement
Viewers witnessed this historical moment as Boom provided live coverage of the event, complete with three enthusiastic commentators. Among them, Mike Bannister, once the Chief Concorde Pilot for British Airways, confirmed the aircraft’s triumph.
“It’s a remarkable success,” he noted. “The XB-1 is now the first independently constructed civil aircraft to fly supersonically, marking a significant milestone in aviation history.”
Introducing ‘Baby Boom’
The XB-1, often referred to as ‘Baby Boom,’ is just a third of the size of the would-be commercial Overture aircraft. It serves as a demonstration of Boom’s aspirational supersonic airliner design.
Blake Scholl, Boom’s Founder and CEO, reflected on this milestone with enthusiasm: “Today’s flight is a landmark event for our vision of supersonic passenger travel. It’s something I’ve dreamed of since founding Boom nearly a decade ago.”
Tristan ‘Geppetto’ Brandenburg, the skilled pilot and former US Navy aviator who has guided Boom’s tests, was thrilled with how smoothly the XB-1 performed supersonically. “She’s never flown better,” he declared.
The Future of Supersonic Travel
While the breakthrough marks a step forward, commercial flights like the Overture are not yet available. Many potential passengers remain curious and hopeful about future opportunities, despite the expected high cost. Previously, a Concorde experience cost about $5,000, which would be close to $20,000 today due to inflation.
If all goes well, Boom’s vision could transform the way we think about travel, bridging continents with unprecedented speed and efficiency. Still, for most, the dream of affordable, everyday supersonic flights remains a fantasy just around the corner.
