The race to resume supersonic passenger flights is on after the retirement of Concorde nearly two decades ago. The plane manufacturer Bombardier has unveiled high speed successes prior to the launch of its new business jet, Global 8000. The Global 8000 is anticipated to be "the world's fastest and longest-range purpose-built business jet", and Bombardier is expected to have it operational in 2025. The jet will carry up to 19 passengers, travel at 8,000 nautical miles (14,800 kilometers) and achieve a top speed of Mach 0.94.
The Global 7500 test aircraft broke the sound barrier last May during a test flight, reaching speeds of more than Mach 1.015 escorted by a NASA F/A-18 chase plane. The aircraft became the first Transport Category airplane to fly supersonic with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), says Bombardier.
"The Global 8000 aircraft leverages the outstanding attributes of the Global 7500 aircraft, providing our customers with a flagship aircraft of a new era," Éric Martel, president and CEO for Bombardier, said in a statement released on Monday.
United Airlines purchased 15 supersonic jets and is hoping to offer supersonic routes as early as 2029.
Meanwhile, Boom Supersonic has been finalizing ground testing on the X-B1, designed to seat between 65 and 88 people, and aims to fly over 500 mainly transoceanic routes at Mach-2.2 speeds.
