Supersonic Private Jets – A Look into the Future

We must go back to 1947 onboard the Bell X-1 jet piloted by legendary Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier. This experimental rocket with wings would open the way to producing supersonic jets like the F-86 Sabre.

While military application and early development are expected, commercial passengers would take a while longer to witness the wonders of flying faster than sound. History isn’t short on supersonic jet projects, but not all that many have seen the light of day.

Shortly after small jets, strategic bombers followed in the late 1950s, such was the technological development of the Cold War. From the B-58 Hustler to the enigmatic Tupolev Tu-22, all through the mid-80s Rockwell B-1B Lancer.

The Soviet Union delivered the SST – Supersonic Transport – first. The Tupolev Tu-144 started carrying mail from Moscow to Almaty in 1975. But it would be the unforgettable Concorde to break the sound barrier while carrying passengers. Its first Atlantic crossing occurred on September 26, 1973, and regular service started in 1976.

The Concorde met its maximum cruising speed at 2,179 km/h (1,354 mph), the equivalent to Mach 2.04. Twenty years after its last flight, we’re still left with a technological gap that is particularly hard to fill. However, the latest tech trends may bring supersonic flight back soon.

While there is little to no debate that supersonic flight is commonplace in the military, we’re still looking for an XXI Century Concorde replacement. The answer may soon arrive from NASA and its X-59. And while its initial applications are closer to becoming supersonic private jets than sizeable commercial aircraft, the data shouldn’t be ready before 2027.

The premise is quite appealing: a jet connecting London and New York in less than 90 minutes while travelling at Mach 4 – twice the speed of Concorde. Most importantly, Lockheed Martin, who built the test X-59, designed it to reduce sonic boom to an extent, allowing future models to fly above land. The success of the Concorde was very much due to its Atlantic crossings, where its sonic boom effect had no impact on humans.

As a result, no supersonic passenger aircraft will be operating in the next few years. By the end of this decade, several projects should reach a maturity stage where further testing in real-world conditions can occur. From this point forward, commercial operation should take a couple of years more.

However, it is pertinent to mention that supersonic aircraft have a place in our world. The past 20 years haven’t been short on expectations nor studies to bring it up to pace with the current technology and demand.

That said, where there is a will, there’s a way. And though the investment in resources and time may not be compatible with our expectations for an answer tomorrow, we’re this certain: the answer is coming!

Supersonic private jets and other commercial flights are illegal in several territories, including the United States. Its impact is particularly harmful over land, where sonic boom can affect human and animal life. Again, the reason why the Concorde operated mainly between London and New York.

Environmental policies weigh heavily on supersonic flight as well. Unsurprisingly, an aircraft such as the Concorde was anything but green, with its thirsty Rolls-Royce engines consuming 20,500kg/hour of fuel. In comparison, the A380 consumes 12,000kg/hour and the 787 a mere 5,400kg/hour.

To add to the equation, the Concorde carried only 100 passengers, making it highly unviable from a mere environmental perspective. The A380 carries 525 to 853 passengers, and the 787, 242 to 335 passengers.

Unless the technology can leap forward considerably, the numbers don’t lie. A supersonic jet on yesterday’s technology is no longer possible. If not for the sheer environmental impact and expense, then definitely through the legal requirements which limit – and well – how these flights shouldn’t operate.

While other prototypes are looking to fill Concorde’s shoes, such as the XB-1, it’s becoming very likely that the next decade will bring the answers we’re looking for. The answer lies in turning supersonic flight into the norm rather than an exclusive niche.

The Concorde was exceptionally expensive to operate, and while it was profitable – British Airways made £1.75 billion ($2.4 billion) in revenue against £1 billion ($1.37 billion) in cost – truth is aviation turned to far more efficient models, even if at the expense of speed.

But here we stand in a whole new era of mobility. Electric mobility in the ground and the air, combustion engines propelled by sustainable fuels, optimised and driven by Artificial Intelligence while powered by 100% green energy – these are all exciting solutions to old problems.

Here, we mention huge premises, but none yet at the tipping point where they can be implemented with the strength and speed we wish – and must demand. Supersonic private jets will surely be at the spear’s head regarding early adoption, but the technology has to be there.

And while recently we’ve brought you the applications of technology to create the first Air Taxis, a supersonic EV private jet is a dream in the making. Again, projects such as the XB-1 and X-59 might bring some answers, but electric battery weight/energy capacity makes it a complex equation.

Airlines such as easyJet took the pledge to help bring a commercial 100% electric aircraft to the market, along with Wright Electric. Recently, the airline changed its focus to hydrogen, which may pave the road for others to follow.

And while in late 2023 it’s still hard to realise what the definitive answer(s) are, one thing’s for certain: aviation keeps moving at high speed to achieve our era’s greatest dreams. These include supersonic flight and net-zero emissions.

We feel it’s realistic to say the next decade will deliver many answers regarding supersonic private jets. Most programs are still in developmental stages, but on a positive note, they’ve already left the paper and are taking to the skies.

Simultaneously, green technology is moving fast with a strong focus on mobility. Again, private jet operators have always been early-tech adopters and will undoubtedly turn the switch to the best options when available. Ultimately, we’re all working towards the same efficiency, sustainability and high-tech reliability goals.

In a world driven by AI, we expect research to move faster than ever, with torrents of data analysed and filtered in days or weeks rather than years. Its implementation will accelerate solutions, covering real issues the industry struggles with.

Boarding a supersonic private jet in the next decade may become mundane, or so it’s expected. Private jet passengers can cross the Atlantic in a few hours, beating jetlag and becoming more time-efficient.

While all options available operate below supersonic speeds, that’s not to say today’s private jets aren’t fast and flexible. For those looking for a convenient, efficient and highly comfortable solution, there’s no contest: private jets are a far superior travel option compared to commercial airliners.

A flight from London to New York can take as little as 7 hours, and while that’s nowhere near the 90 minutes advertised by NASA’s X-59, there is still much to gain for passengers. It all starts and ends with the flight operation infrastructure.

Commercial airliners today are beyond busy. Airports are jam-packed. Processes, even for VIP travellers, are slow and often stressful. By the time your commercial flight takes off, you’ve spent a couple of hours moving around, patiently waiting, and wasting your precious time in the process.

Again, while private jets aren’t supersonic nowadays, their operation will save you countless hours every year. For frequent flyers, the gain is definitely in their most precious asset: time.

We’ll keep you updated on supersonic private jets; any breakthroughs will be celebrated from our side. In the meantime, we remain committed to providing you with the most modern solutions for your travel needs.

Contact us for your free quote, and while we can’t fly you to your destination above the speed of sound, we’ll never fall short of delivering on the many advantages of flying private.