Skip to main content

Fly NYC to London in 3 Hours with Boom Supersonic

New York City to London in just over three hours?

It’s been more than ten years since the British and French scrapped the original Concorde jets. But, the dream of supersonic travel has quietly lived on since. Now, Boom — a company with all the right gears behind the scenes to realize such a project — is working to revive the idea of ultra-fast commercial aviation. Here’s why it just might work this time around.

Recommended Videos

The Concorde project was wrought with maintenance complications, sky-high costs, and slumping demand, particularly after the World Trade Center disaster in 2001. Fast-forward just 15 years, and many of those issues may already be solved. Newer, advanced composite materials are cheaper, more lightweight, and strong enough to survive the rigors of supersonic flight. Plus, the rise in “digital nomadism” (that is, the younger generations choosing to work remotely) means the demand for a faster, affordable, more efficient mode of air transportation is higher than ever.

Today’s most advanced airliners max out at Mach 0.85 and the Concorde was capable of just Mach 2.0. But Boom is pushing its XB-1 (nicknamed “Baby Boom”) to Mach 2.2. In plain English, that’s 1,451 MPH — more than two and a half times faster than any other commercial flight. In practical terms, that means passengers could fly from New York City to London in a little over three hours. Ideally, one could depart JFK in the morning, have afternoon cocktails and dinner in London, and be home to catch Survivor the same night. Plus, with the ability to “beat” the time difference, it could make Transpacific trips up to two days shorter. A one-way ticket from NYC to London is projected to cost $2,500. That may sound stratospheric for most common folk. But, all good technology has to start somewhere.

In the age of overhyped, never-delivered Kickstarter launches, it’s easy to deride this is yet another project destined to fade into obscurity. But, the list of financial backers and heavy-hitters behind Boom includes certified pilots and folks with boatloads of tech industry experience at companies like Amazon, Groupon, Gulfstream, and Boeing. They’re smart, motivated, and — most importantly — very well funded. Plus, the company’s engineers have contributed to 40 of the most advanced and well-known aeronautics projects in modern aviation. They’ve worked on SpaceX, the autopiloting systems of the Boeing 787, the engine of the F135 Joint Strike Fighter, and achieved successful test flights up to Mach 3. With the company’s first flight planned for late 2017, the future of air travel could become very fast, very fast.

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
These two U.S. airports rank among the world’s most beautiful
Main Terminal, PDX

While air travel focuses on covering long distances quickly, a beautiful airport can elevate the experience. Plain, concrete terminals can feel drab and boring, and only add to the strain of long travel days. However, open spaces inspired by nature can feel like a resort, helping you recharge and explore before your connection.

Recently, the Prix Versailles — a series of architectural competitions — released its list of “The Most Beautiful Airports in the World”, and two U.S. airports were among the winners. Here’s why.

Read more
Ritz-Carlton’s new yacht Luminara offers luxury cruises and top-tier dining
Enjoy all of your favorite Ritz-Carlton amenities at sea
Luminara

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection just set sail on its newest and largest ship yet. Departing from Monte Carlo, yesterday, July 3, Luminara marks the third ship in the brand’s growing fleet.

With 226 spacious suites, each featuring private terraces, Luminara was designed for travelers who want the intimacy of a yacht with the comfort and amenities of a high-end resort. But what truly sets this ship apart is where it’s headed. Luminara will be the first in the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection to explore destinations in Asia, Alaska, and Canada, opening new routes for the brand’s loyal cruisers.

Read more
Where you vacation could raise your skin cancer risk, says new study
New study reveals alarming sunscreen truths
Palm Beach, Florida

Most of us assume everyone knows the importance of protecting our skin from harmful UV rays, yet a new study suggests awareness campaigns aren't doing enough to protect Americans. A recently published study revealed a dangerous gap between what people know about sunscreen and how they use it, putting millions of Americans at an increased risk of developing skin cancer. Furthermore, the study found that specific beach destinations may have higher skin-damaging UV doses than others, indicating that where you vacation also weighs in on your overall risk of skin cancer.

The study analyzed over 378 million UV dose records from the European Space Agency and melanoma skin cancer rates from the World Health Organization for 168 countries. Those seeking the safest beach vacation possible should look to destinations such as Poland, Albania, and Iceland, with the lowest combined average daily UV radiation levels and melanoma skin cancer rates. Meanwhile, other popular beach destinations in Peru, Australia, and Ecuador had the riskiest UV radiation levels. In the U.S., Alaska, Washington, and Maine are the safest states for beachgoers who want to protect themselves from the sun.

Read more