New York in an hour? The truth about hypersonic travel

In the age of tech billionaires with moonshot dreams, could supersonic flights become viable as an ultra-luxury option for high-net-worth travellers? Given the feats involved, it’s not hard to imagine the appeal – but experts say it may actually prove to be slower than other methods.

That’s largely down to the boom in private aviation, which has changed the way that much of the jet-set elite travel. “Private flyers are already saving hours on their journey as they’re using special airports which massively reduce time spent on security and immigration,” he adds. 

Of course, such headwinds are not an issue for the defence industry, which continues to invest billions in hypersonic capabilities. Just last month, one Florida based aerospace contractor, Hermeus, opened a new test facility for its hypersonic engine. Meanwhile, Nasa’s X-59 is expected to take its test flight before long.

Closer to home, Oxfordshire-based Reaction Engines, led by a former Rolls-Royce executive, has been working on the SABRE, an air-breathing rocket engine aimed at reaching hypersonic speeds. Crucially, it is also looking to use thermal technologies to reduce the fuel intensity of hypersonic engines.

It won’t be long, then, before you’re reading another overexcited report about faster flights over the Atlantic, triggered by another scientific breakthrough by aviation boffins. By all means, marvel at the technologies involved – but don’t expect to be buying a ticket any time soon.