It doesn’t come as a surprise that Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, is backing the arrival of the newest supersonic passenger aircraft. Branson partnered with aircraft production startup Boom to unveil the prototype XB-1 Supersonic Demonstrator. Being able to make affordable supersonic flights have been a goal for Branson since the turbojet-powered Concorde retired back in 2003. The airliner promises 3.5-hour flights between New York and London for US$5,000.
Boom studied the Concorde was able to create from it a supersonic design that travels 2.6 times faster than current jetliners and has better fuel economy. Hardware comes from the likes of General Electric (engines), Honeywell (avionics), Tencate (carbon fiber), and Blue Force (composite structures). The plane can accommodate 45 to 55 passengers and gives spacious seating on each side with personal windows and overhead bins. The first XB-1 flight is scheduled to happen later in 2017.
Source: Mashable