• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
'Son of Concorde' jet that will take you from New York to London in 3.5 hours breaks the sound barrier for first time

Home> Technology> News

Published 18:55 29 Jan 2025 GMT

'Son of Concorde' jet that will take you from New York to London in 3.5 hours breaks the sound barrier for first time

Boom's dream of becoming a supersonic commercial airline is a step closer as its demonstrator model the XB-1 reached 844mph in a test flight

Joe Yates

Joe Yates

A vacation to London from New York usually requires you write off the first day, with the flight taking around eight hours.

But soon enough, we might be able to charter jets between the UK and the US in next to no time at all - well, in three hours and 30 minutes anyway.

That's thanks to the 'Son of the Concorde', which yesterday (January 28) broke the sound barrier as it traveled at an incredible speed of 844mph - 83mph faster than the speed of sound, which travels at 761mph.

Advert

The XB-1 model aircraft took off at 11.22am ET, and when at 35,000ft it smashed the sound barrier.

Boom, the US company behind the plane, uploaded footage to YouTube showing the event - which included three live commentators at the time.

"There we are XB-11 is supersonic, faster than the speed of sound - we've got confirmation from the control room that she is supersonic," commentator Mike Bannister, who is a former Chief Concorde Pilot for British Airways, said at the time.

The XB-1 has broken sound barrier (Boom)
The XB-1 has broken sound barrier (Boom)

"What a wonderful achievement and the whole team know what a really historic moment this is - the first civil aircraft independently constructed that has ever flown supersonic and Geppetto [Brandenburg] is the first pilot ever to do it.

"It is really thrilling moment."

It is all part of the tech company's dream of designing a supersonic airliner, called the Overture. XB-1, known as Baby Boom, is just a demonstrator aircraft and so is just a third of the size of the Overture.

Founder and CEO Blake Scholl said: "Today, XB-1 took flight in the same hallowed airspace where the Bell X-1 first broke the sound barrier in 1947.

"I’ve been looking forward to this flight since founding Boom in 2014, and it marks the most significant milestone yet on our path to bring supersonic travel to passengers worldwide."

Tristan 'Geppetto' Brandenburg piloted the aircraft to reach 844mph (Boom)
Tristan 'Geppetto' Brandenburg piloted the aircraft to reach 844mph (Boom)

While pilot, and former US Navy aviator, Tristan 'Geppetto' Brandenburg - who has led the testing for Boom's 11 previous missions, added: "She was real happy supersonic.

"That’s the best she’s ever flown."

However, those of us excited about what this means for the future may not be able to fund a trip on the jet - if, of course, Boom succeed in their dream of making the Overture a supersonic commercial airline.

That's if we're going off how much it cost to hitch a ride on a Concorde two decades ago - flights between New York City and London were in the region of $5,000, which equates to around $20,000 with inflation today.

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/boomsupersonic9928

Topics: US News, Science

Joe Yates
Joe Yates

Joe is a journalist for UNILAD, who particularly enjoys writing about crime. He has worked in journalism for five years, and has covered everything from murder trials to celeb news.

X

@JMYjourno

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

a day ago
2 days ago
3 days ago
  • Ramsey Cardy/Getty
    a day ago

    ‘Godfather of AI’ reveals the jobs that will be replaced first as it takes over workplaces

    Geoffrey Hinton always has thoughts on the rise of AI

    Technology
  • Joe Raedle/Getty Images
    2 days ago

    Why NASA astronauts face ‘significant challenge’ in −410F temperatures as they prepare to fly farther into space than ever before

    It comes as extreme weather has pushed the initial Artemis II launch date back

    Technology
  • LOPEZ / AFP via Getty Images / CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images
    3 days ago

    Leaked internal memo from Apple about Minneapolis ICE shootings sparks controversy

    Tim Cook is believed to have sent the message to Apple employees addressing the 'heartbreaking' events in Minneapolis

    Technology
  • Getty Images/Xavier Lorenzo
    3 days ago

    Job recruitment expert warns people why they shouldn’t use AI to ‘improve’ their resume

    AI might make your resume look shiny and perfect, but is that really what employers want?

    Technology
  • 24-year-old who wanted to be first person on Mars breaks down 4 major problems with getting there
  • What time New York City Mayor will be announced after Trump's 'delusional' comment about Zohran Mamdani
  • China creates 'bone glue' that will mend breaks in minutes
  • ‘Tiny and wearable’ brooch-shaped gadget claims it will save you 260 hours per year in admin