If everything goes the way Richard Branson plans, you could fly from New York City to London in less time than it takes to watch four episodes of Game of Thrones.
Yesterday, the billionaire entrepreneur joined forced with Denver-based aircraft production startup Boom to unveil a total game-changer when it comes to air travel.
The XB-1 Supersonic Demonstrator – a prototype supersonic passenger airliner – will apparently get you from to New York and London in 3.5 hours at the “affordable” price of $5,000.
As far as supersonic flights go, $5,000 is apparently a total steal.
Of course, creating a budget-friendly (well, at least for the one per cent) supersonic flight has been on Branson’s radar since the retirement of the turbojet-powered Corcorde in 2003.
Drawing from the Concorde, Boom was able to create a “safe,” “fast,” and “pleasant to fly” aircraft with a supersonic design that travels 2.6 times faster than current jetliners. Unlike the Concorde, the Boom design doesn’t require an afterburner – something that majorly improves fuel economy.
Currently, the fastest civil aircraft ever made, the XB-1 is made with hardware from General Electric (engines), Tencate (carbon fiber), Honeywell (avionics) and composite structures by Blue Force, as Mashable reports.
Aside from speed, the aircraft will naturally offer a refined in-flight experience.
Each of the 45 to 55 passengers will enjoy roomy seating on each side of the aisle (there will be no fighting for an armrest), a personal window, a large high-tech TV, and their own overhead bin (a stark contrast to this horrible idea).
The first XB-1 flight is set to take place later in 2017.
The subsonic test flight of the XB-1 will take place east of Denver, while the supersonic test flights will take place near Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California.
Sadly, you’ll have to wait until 2023 for the first commercial flight to hit the skies.
The good news is that you have plenty of time to start saving.
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