<strong>Supersonic revival: </strong>In recent years, a clutch of aeronautics startups have sparked renewed interest in supersonic travel, which stalled after the Concorde's retirement in 2003. Among the major players, Boom Technology has raised $85 million in funding from seed investors and strategic partners, such as Virgin Atlantic Airways.
Supersonic revival: In recent years, a clutch of aeronautics startups have sparked renewed interest in supersonic travel, which stalled after the Concorde's retirement in 2003. Among the major players, Boom Technology has raised $85 million in funding from seed investors and strategic partners, such as Virgin Atlantic Airways.
Nathan Leach-Proffer
<strong>Interest in Asia: </strong>Support for the Denver-based startup has expanded to Asia as well. In December, Japan Airlines reportedly invested $10 million to pre-order 20 of the 55-seat airliners, which are slated for a 2023 debut. This spring, Ctrip -- Asia's largest travel services provider with 300 million registered users -- became Boom's first strategic partner from China.
Interest in Asia: Support for the Denver-based startup has expanded to Asia as well. In December, Japan Airlines reportedly invested $10 million to pre-order 20 of the 55-seat airliners, which are slated for a 2023 debut. This spring, Ctrip -- Asia's largest travel services provider with 300 million registered users -- became Boom's first strategic partner from China.
Boom Technology
<strong>Travel equals happiness: </strong>"China promises to be one of the largest markets for supersonic air travel," says Victor Tseng, chief commercial officer of Ctrip.
Travel equals happiness: "China promises to be one of the largest markets for supersonic air travel," says Victor Tseng, chief commercial officer of Ctrip.
Nathan Leach-Proffer
<strong>Full speed ahead:</strong> Boom plans to have just 55 seats divided into two single rows. Round-trip flights from New York to London will cost an estimated $5,000.
Full speed ahead: Boom plans to have just 55 seats divided into two single rows. Round-trip flights from New York to London will cost an estimated $5,000.
Boom Technology
<strong>Spacious seats:</strong> According to the company's website, the seats will be spacious but not fully reclining. Each will provide an underseat locker for easy storage, as well as oversized windows to view the curvature of the Earth from 60,000 feet.
Spacious seats: According to the company's website, the seats will be spacious but not fully reclining. Each will provide an underseat locker for easy storage, as well as oversized windows to view the curvature of the Earth from 60,000 feet.
Boom Technology
<strong>The big boom: </strong>The explosive "boom" -- caused when the plane crashes through the sound barrier -- should be less intense thanks to an updated design. Currently, supersonic travel is prohibited over the US, due to the disruptive sound it creates for residents on the ground. To alleviate the thunderous noise, the plane's planned design will feature a long Pinocchio-like nose and extra-broad wings.
The big boom: The explosive "boom" -- caused when the plane crashes through the sound barrier -- should be less intense thanks to an updated design. Currently, supersonic travel is prohibited over the US, due to the disruptive sound it creates for residents on the ground. To alleviate the thunderous noise, the plane's planned design will feature a long Pinocchio-like nose and extra-broad wings.
Boom Technology
<strong>Healthy skepticism:</strong> "The idea of supersonic travel has great sex appeal," Peter Goelz, senior vice president and aviation analyst at O'Neill and Associates, tells CNN Travel. "I am not sure that I am as optimistic as they are that the challenge of sonic booms over land has gone away -- that was devastating to the Concorde."
Healthy skepticism: "The idea of supersonic travel has great sex appeal," Peter Goelz, senior vice president and aviation analyst at O'Neill and Associates, tells CNN Travel. "I am not sure that I am as optimistic as they are that the challenge of sonic booms over land has gone away -- that was devastating to the Concorde."
Boom Technology
<strong>Next steps:</strong> "There are a lot of questions to be answered about the economic viability of the project," says Goelz. "Having said that, I admire their entrepreneurship. If they are able to announce a more significant investment (on the order of billions) and some substantive bluechip aerospace partnerships, that would demonstrate that these guys might have a real shot."
Next steps: "There are a lot of questions to be answered about the economic viability of the project," says Goelz. "Having said that, I admire their entrepreneurship. If they are able to announce a more significant investment (on the order of billions) and some substantive bluechip aerospace partnerships, that would demonstrate that these guys might have a real shot."
Nathan Leach-Proffer/Boom Technology