‘Son of Concorde’ supersonic jet hits new speed record – but 3.5hr passenger flights from London to NYC face delay
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A SUPERSONIC jet vying to bring back Concorde speed trips across the globe has reached an important new record - but it could be a bit longer until passengers get to fly on it. US firm Boom Technology has been testing the "Son of Concorde" supersonic aircraft, officially known as XB-1.
![[Boom's jets will fly at the speed of sound once complete]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/https-boomsupersonic-com-flyby-xb-940256358.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
It could eventually cut journey times from London to New York City to just 3.5 hours, down from the eight or so hours it currently takes. The company has been progressing with test flights toward Mach 1, the speed of sound. In its ninth test flight, a new maximum speed of Mach 0.87 - the equivalent to 667mph - was reached.
![[The company will test its first supersonic flight early next year]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/https-boomsupersonic-com-flyby-xb-940256361.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
And the XB-1 also achieved a new record height too, climbing 27,716 ft. "Flight nine focused on clearing flutter points at increased speeds and varying altitudes to ensure the aircraft structure continues to behave as predicted in the expanded flight envelope," Boom Technology said in an update.
![[London to New York City could be as fast as 3.5 hours eventually]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/quick-trip-worlds-fastest-jetliner-748669193.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
"This type of testing measures the interaction of the aircraft structure with the atmosphere it is flying through and is critical as XB-1 continues to reach higher speeds.". Engineers made changes to the flutter excitation system (FES) which is an important part to avoid structural failure.
Boom had been hoping to carry out its first supersonic flight later this year. But due to the essential modifications to keep the flights safe it will now take place in early 2025. Before then, one more test flight is expected to take place. Although no launch plans or date to carry passengers have been announced just yet, the pushing back of test flights will surely mean any such fully-fledged commercial passenger service faces a delay.
![[One more flight expected before first supersonic flight test]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/3-5hr-passenger-flights-london-957876329.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
