We were surprised by how many of you took note of our first article on Supersonic Plane Travel to Hawaii in Just Two Hours Coming. Since then, the manufacturer has refined its plans, and we have those for you today, along with thoughts on costs by route and a new video from Boom.
United Airlines is planning to return supersonic travel to commercial aviation, and it is unlikely they’ll be the only ones. Traveling at Mach 1.7, or 1,294 MPH, California sits a mere two hours away from the islands.
Latest update and video from Boom.
Their Overture SST will now boast four engines instead of two, with a newly streamlined fuselage and gull wings. Fewer passengers will be accommodated to increase efficiency and decrease noise in the 4-engine design. Boom says the new design will reduce the cost of operation and allow it to fly more quietly from point A to point B.
Where is Hawaii in Boom Supersonic and United Airlines’ plans?
The first route being touted is between New York and London, for obvious reasons including its importance, frequency of operation, and business/leisure components. But there are reasons that Hawaii will be on the drawing board for SST travel too.
Boom Supersonic and Hawaii-Centric United Airlines and Japan Airlines.
Boom Supersonic inked its deal with United Airlines in May. Boom said at the time that “United will purchase 15 of Boom’s ‘Overture’ airliners, once Overture meets United’s demanding safety, operating and sustainability requirements, with an option for 35 more aircraft. Slated to carry passengers in 2029, the net-zero carbon aircraft will fly on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).”
In 2017, Japan Airlines and Boom formed an early strategic partnership to bring supersonic travel back sustainably.
Traveling over water and over land: how it works.
American-made Boom SST will offer its 65-88 passenger SST for passengers traveling from 2029. The distance capability of the plane is 4,250 nautical miles puts most of the US within its current range, except for the east coast.
While it is possible for Boom to travel over land and water, it will do so at a significantly reduced speed (Mach 0.97) as it crosses land to remain under the speed, producing unacceptable noise.
Possible Hawaii supersonic plane routes and (whoops!) costs in 2022 dollars.
Beat of Hawaii says: Price will be about 25% higher than current first class fares. Would you pay for the experience? See cost estimates below in today’s dollars. If more first-class passengers opt for Boom, it might open up seats in front on current planes for upgrades.
San Francisco to Honolulu 2.25 hours. $2,500 each way.
Los Angeles to Honolulu 2.25 hours. $2,500 each way.
Honolulu to Sydney 4 hours. $5,000 each way.
Honolulu to Tokyo 3 hours. $3,500 each way.
When will Boom Supersonic arrive?
Test flights will begin the following year with the first plane built by 2025. All flights will be using 100% sustainable aviation fuel. Scheduled flights could begin by 2029.
We remember when Concorde landed in Honolulu.
It was in 1987 when charters between the west coast and Honolulu were planned. That never panned out, although Air France did fly a series of five test flights on Corconde to Honolulu. Then there were the six charters that once landed at Kona on a worldwide itinerary.
We found the only known photo (below) of the Concorde in flight for aviation enthusiasts. It was taken in April 1985, south of Ireland, flying at Mach2, 1,350 mph. A Royal Air Force Tornado struggled to keep up with the Concorde and broke off the rendezvous after just four minutes, while Concorde cruised to JFK.
Boom environmental sensitivity and the new Hawaii paradigm.
Boom says, “We believe travel is a net good for humanity, and we want people to travel more often without worrying about adverse effects on the planet. To accomplish that, we need to remove the environmental barriers to travel. We’re leaning into technologies that allow Overture to be a net-zero carbon airplane, including operating on up to 100% SAF.”
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Very interesting, the flights are all over ocean is that an FAA ruling for now? The reality that there are many that can easily afford the pricing but it seems like a fomo.
Thanks
Oh any interior photos
I’d question the environmental harm to the inhabitants of the ocean too. Why only slow the speed over land because of unacceptable noise emissions? Noise pollution is real and when you factor in the flights over the islands, are we harming the islands further?
Not worth it for me. If a 2,500 mile flight cost about $1000.00 one way in first from LA to Honolulu on a 5 hour flight. Then a 2 1/2 hour flight to the same destination is not enough saving hours to make a big difference for a $2500 ticket. I’d stick with the 5 hour flight and enjoy the first class service a little longer.
Having been back and forth at least 75 times for business meetings from the San Francisco Bay area, I totally agree. The airport and ATC overhead is at least as important as the total inflight time. And the idea that the distance limit is barely Chicago or Denver to Hawaii is absurd to me. Nobody needs to get there that fast, especially given the time zone changes involved.
Stupidest idea I have heard in a long time, having been flying since 1960 with well over 8 million seat miles in US, Europe and Asia.
Only the ultra rich will pay that kind of money to travel.
The only way I see it working for United to Hawaii is if they operated the model that British used on Concorde. You price to cover fixed cost and you use Corporate Upgrades and Mileage Tickets to fill the rest. The major benefits apply to other routes mostly business with high fares. What is more likely is the SST business jet market where the very rich can fly direct to Hawaii for the weekend from California. The size and hence cost of this equipment is too big for most except maybe the Sulltan of Brunei.
My big question is would the Boom Jet be hardened and used for Air Force 1? 3 hour TATL could enable the President to fly to Europe for a summit and return same day.
Note the “leaning into” sustainable technologies part.
Say, if we truly had access to precious “sustainable” (buzzword) aviation fuel in large quantities, wouldn’t our children curse us if we wasted it on leisure flights to Hawaii? Rather than, say, help replace Russian gas for people in Europe living on a subsistence level to heat their homes come next winter?