Listen Now: Supersonic Travel

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The future of travel is flying in, and it’s fast. I’m Brian Banmiller on Business.

Boom Supersonic is a Colorado based startup leading the development of supersonic aircraft, taking it to the front of commercial era travel. Its newest partner is United Airlines which just placed an order for a number of the jet aircraft known as Overture. The plane, similar to the Concorde, will fly at speeds of Mach 1.7, greater than the speed of sound. This means it will cut travel times in half. Imagine a seven hour trip from New York to London, taking only three and a half. And besides faster, the plane will also fly higher. The cruising altitude will be 60,000 feet. Currently no commercial airplane can climb that high. As far as the inside of the plane, each supersonic jet will hold up to 88 passengers. There will be one seat on each side of the plane, similar to a business class configuration with bigger seats and more legroom. No word on ticket prices but the first passengers are expected to fly in 2029. Sign me up. Brian Banmiller, CBS News.

About Brian

CBS News Radio national business journalist Brian Banmiller has spent more than 40 years in the news industry, covering business, politics and the economy on television, radio and in print. Currently, his “Banmiller on Business” reports are delivered to an audience of millions nationwide.