27 thoughts on “Hawaii-Bound Supersonic Aircraft Soars In Test Flight”
Maleko
“Build it and they will come.” There will be a market, mostly for west coast to Japan or Australia. I agree with most commenters thoughts that west coast to Hawaii would be too expensive to save 2 hours. So — I’ll start the prediction game and BOH can revisit this in 2029…drum roll…Round trip from west coast to Hawaii in 2029 will be: $12,500.
I agree with Rod… this would be great for Asia, Australia, Fiji, etc., I am just not sure how many people would be willing to spend the money to reduce a Hawaii flight by a few hours.
The economics of the Concorde doomed from the start. It entered service 3 years after the 1973 oil crisis. It was relegated to a vanity project for both British Airways and Air France. I know. I worked for Air France at the time. Our load factors were 60% on a really good day. Most of the time, loads were closer to 40%.
If Boom’s Overture is to survive past initial fanboy interest, it needs to be economically viable, and the break-even point can’t be 125% of capacity.
Considering the number of recent incidents with United Airlines fleet, the absolute LAST thing that their CEO should be doing is making statements about this until they clean house from top to bottom of all of the slackers that are obviously not doing their collective jobs.
Don,
You are absolutely correct but these recent issues are part of a much bigger industry problem that goes way beyond what the non-airline public is seeing. This forum is not big enough to go into the issues but the FAA will figure it out I know this for a fact!!
I have doubts about the potential for supersonic flights to Hawaii. Flights to Asia and Europe, possibly. But how many high-end travelers will pay the fare (undoubtedly very high) to save 3 hours from the West Coast?
On the other hand, such high-end travelers would fit in with Gov Green’s desire for only well-off visitors. Perhaps he will subsidize their fares in expectation of serious spending elsewhere in Hawaii (hotels, restaurants etc).
Well, 65-88 passengers…as a flight attendant, that sound lovely. But, at that altitude and that speed, if there’s an incident of any kind- it will be catastrophic. I still use snail mail – I guess snail air travel works for me too…:)
travelling at those speeds uses substantially more fuel, not even considering the smaller passenger loads. if Green was serious about his climate policies he would simply ban these flights
I am hoping the speed advantage will bring pax back from gen av. Those of us who are fortunate enough to travel in first would likely love this but the vast majority of pax will stay focused on getting flights as cheap as possible. Cannot see this being profitable for award travel unless the already laughable mileage requirement for premium cabin to Hawaii is pushed further putting it out of reach for all but the most active Airline Credit card users. I cannot wait for American to put one into zervice as I loathe the narrowbody Airbus flights from LAX.
Have been flying to SEA and back at least once a year for the last 8 years for family and medical reasons. Coach in the beginning, but first class since Covid. ~3 hours vs almost 6 hours sounds luxurious and worth it.
Soos, it sounds good until we hear the fee. I fly from Ontario (Cal) to HNL. There are 16 seats in first class and about 200 in economy. I think I’ve read that these super fast planes (like the old Concorde) will have 100 or so seats.
If only 16 people are willinng to pay (or use miles) for 1st class now, why should we believe that many more than those would fly first class for 2, 3 or more times the current cost?
“Build it and they will come.” There will be a market, mostly for west coast to Japan or Australia. I agree with most commenters thoughts that west coast to Hawaii would be too expensive to save 2 hours. So — I’ll start the prediction game and BOH can revisit this in 2029…drum roll…Round trip from west coast to Hawaii in 2029 will be: $12,500.
I agree with Rod… this would be great for Asia, Australia, Fiji, etc., I am just not sure how many people would be willing to spend the money to reduce a Hawaii flight by a few hours.
Thanks, David.
David,
I guess it will also depend on what they carry besides people.
And, how many passengers it can carry. Say 100 total with 20 paying top dollar and coach passengers paying the equivalent of today’s 1st class prices.
Nope, it doesn’t work. Unless they are hauling a lot of most-have-now-cargo.
It will be too expensive for me!
The economics of the Concorde doomed from the start. It entered service 3 years after the 1973 oil crisis. It was relegated to a vanity project for both British Airways and Air France. I know. I worked for Air France at the time. Our load factors were 60% on a really good day. Most of the time, loads were closer to 40%.
If Boom’s Overture is to survive past initial fanboy interest, it needs to be economically viable, and the break-even point can’t be 125% of capacity.
Considering the number of recent incidents with United Airlines fleet, the absolute LAST thing that their CEO should be doing is making statements about this until they clean house from top to bottom of all of the slackers that are obviously not doing their collective jobs.
Don,
You are absolutely correct but these recent issues are part of a much bigger industry problem that goes way beyond what the non-airline public is seeing. This forum is not big enough to go into the issues but the FAA will figure it out I know this for a fact!!
Not sure I will be able to afford it, but who doesn’t want to get to Hawaii in 2 hours?
Bring it on!
Nice idea but not practical. its going to be too expensive and the cost of operating it along with fuel will be a bad PR move
I have doubts about the potential for supersonic flights to Hawaii. Flights to Asia and Europe, possibly. But how many high-end travelers will pay the fare (undoubtedly very high) to save 3 hours from the West Coast?
On the other hand, such high-end travelers would fit in with Gov Green’s desire for only well-off visitors. Perhaps he will subsidize their fares in expectation of serious spending elsewhere in Hawaii (hotels, restaurants etc).
Well, 65-88 passengers…as a flight attendant, that sound lovely. But, at that altitude and that speed, if there’s an incident of any kind- it will be catastrophic. I still use snail mail – I guess snail air travel works for me too…:)
travelling at those speeds uses substantially more fuel, not even considering the smaller passenger loads. if Green was serious about his climate policies he would simply ban these flights
I am hoping the speed advantage will bring pax back from gen av. Those of us who are fortunate enough to travel in first would likely love this but the vast majority of pax will stay focused on getting flights as cheap as possible. Cannot see this being profitable for award travel unless the already laughable mileage requirement for premium cabin to Hawaii is pushed further putting it out of reach for all but the most active Airline Credit card users. I cannot wait for American to put one into zervice as I loathe the narrowbody Airbus flights from LAX.
I’m already paying $1500+ for first class from Ontario, CA. Not gonna pay double or triple that to save 3 hours. Not in this lifetime.
Have been flying to SEA and back at least once a year for the last 8 years for family and medical reasons. Coach in the beginning, but first class since Covid. ~3 hours vs almost 6 hours sounds luxurious and worth it.
Soos, it sounds good until we hear the fee. I fly from Ontario (Cal) to HNL. There are 16 seats in first class and about 200 in economy. I think I’ve read that these super fast planes (like the old Concorde) will have 100 or so seats.
If only 16 people are willinng to pay (or use miles) for 1st class now, why should we believe that many more than those would fly first class for 2, 3 or more times the current cost?
I doubt it.
Take it slow.