Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Reaction Engines' A2 supersonic jet: Europe to Australia at 4,000 mph
"The supersonic jet, designed by Oxfordshire's own Reaction Engines, could one day shuttle passengers from Europe to Down Under in less than five hours, cruising at up to 4,000 miles-per-hour along the way. Granted, the aircraft is still in concept mode at the moment, but if all goes to plan, it could be operational 'within 25 years.' Reportedly, the 156-yard long jet could maintain a speed of 3,800 miles-per-hour -- over twice that of the famed Concorde -- and could carry 300 guests on each trip."
Very cool -- but 25 years? That's a long time. Who will want to fly in a plane when we have the technology to step into a telephone booth and dial up any place and time in the world and be there in seconds, complete with some gaudy-looking CG depicting wormholes and such? Not me.
Gallery: Reaction Engines' A2 supersonic jet
Filed under: Transportation
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
jb Feb 25th 2008 9:50AM
i would have to agree with you!! i wish i had said it first. but anyway we are in a world of trouble!!!!
vickitot Feb 25th 2008 6:52AM
WHO WOULD WANT TO GO THAT FAST?!!! I FOR ONE WOULD NOT.!!!!
Gary Feb 25th 2008 12:39PM
We live in a global economy now. I can see where the need to expand speeds and the ability to get from point to in a few hours rather than days is stimulating.
Ed Bogusz Feb 25th 2008 12:58PM
If only you could get through the airport that fast.
Lisa Feb 25th 2008 7:08AM
how cool is that, I would absolutely take a trip on that, imagine getting from NY to the Carribean in about 20 minutes, faster than going food shopping!!!
susan Feb 25th 2008 7:28AM
I personally think it's great.Cut back on air time, more time to enjoy the vacation.
Vance Feb 25th 2008 7:40AM
IT WILL BE OBSOLETE BY THE TIME IT IS BUILT AND HOPEFULLY MORE COMFORTABLE THAN THE OLD CONCORD. I WAS ON THE CONCORD ONCE AND IT WAS LIKE SITTING ON EACH OTHER'S LAPS THE WHOLE TRIP. YES, ONLY A COUPLE HOURS TO EUROPE FROM THE US, BUT VERY UNCOMFORTABLE.
michka Feb 25th 2008 9:34AM
how much did they charge you for your flight?
michka Feb 25th 2008 9:35AM
how much did they charge you for your flight?
jolly roger Feb 27th 2008 9:52PM
that's awesome! any plans for windows though?
Howdee Feb 25th 2008 7:46AM
That is just to fast for me. Can't enjoy the view.
Hal Kirven Feb 25th 2008 7:51AM
View? Can't enjoy the view? There ain't no view, 'cause there ain't no windows!
jcollina Feb 25th 2008 7:48AM
Just what the world needs. I would be willing to bet this baby will drink fuel like no other vehicle ever has.
Roland Feb 25th 2008 8:14AM
Nah - in 25 years, we'll have electric and solar technology (as well as others, I'm sure) to make this trip on very little actual 'fuel'. I'm up for it! Very little turbulence, and it won't kill me, unless it's the pilots' time to go, and then it's pretty much my time too anyway... :)
Keith J. Mohrhoff Feb 25th 2008 8:14AM
The only real problem with any SST but especially a BIG one is where to land it? When you figure how fast it is, the only safe place I can think of is Edward's Dry Lake AFB. At least there, you have room to make a mistake if something goes wrong.
rosebud Feb 25th 2008 4:22PM
think about this another airplane getting in the way-how the heck would it move fast enough to get out of the way,can you think about how much fuel it would use and have you ever heard about planes going down because they hit birds.
Bill Feb 25th 2008 12:44PM
This new plane, if built, will not fly in the same flight patterns as the average commercial passenger or military aircraft. This type of aircraft typically flys at high altitudes, on the edge of space where the atmosphere is thin. Therefore, no need to worry about trivial concerns like birds ingesting and excess fuel consumption. With little air resistance, fuel consumption is minimal. Most likely, less than that of the Airbus A 380. Odd, no one is complaining about the amount of fuel that huge plane consumes.
As far as the discomfort of flying on the SST... Have you tried Northwest Airlines? The seats push against your knees and hold you there until you disembark, if you're able to when you arrive. After one cross-country flight with that Co; Never again!
rich Feb 25th 2008 8:45AM
Wonderful, takes but a few hours to fly thousands of miles........takes 6 plus hours waiting to board, 2 plus hours waiting on the tarmac to depart, 3 plus hours waiting to land, 5 plus hours waiting to off load, oh and the luggage, you won't have to wait for that, it will have been lost.........like the military, hurry up and wait stupid........
GLOOM ROOM Feb 26th 2008 8:11AM
you forgot them looking up your ass to see if you have a bomb!
Bobby Feb 25th 2008 8:34AM
The skies are a big place but I'd be concerned with the pilot having time to compensate for any kind of error. This sounds like horizontal rocket propulsion to me. I guess the plan would be really high altitudes to eliminate other air traffic & enlarge the window if something goes bad. Passengers, don your space suits, we'll be arriving shortly..