Speed of Airplane Travel: What's the Rate?
In the realm of aviation, speed has always been a coveted trait. From the early days of flight to the modern era, aircraft have pushed the boundaries of speed, reaching unprecedented velocities. Today, we delve into the world of hypersonic flight, exploring the incredible speeds that these aircraft can reach and the future they hold for commercial air travel.
Hypersonic flight refers to speeds exceeding Mach 5, or approximately 3,836 mph (6,174 km/h). This speed is far beyond what most commercial aircraft can achieve. For instance, larger airliners such as the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A380 cruise at 0.85 Mach (669 mph), while smaller general aviation aircraft typically fly below 300 knots (Mach 0.45).
However, there are exceptions. Turbocharged aircraft, like Mooney's M20 Bravo Turbo, can fly about 35 knots (41 mph) faster than their non-turbo counterparts and can cruise up to 25,000 feet compared to 18,500 feet for the original model.
Fighter jets, known for their speed, can reach Mach 1.6 (1,190 mph), with modern fighter jets capable of even faster speeds. The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, a military jet aircraft, holds the record for the fastest speed of all jet aircraft, cruising at Mach 3.32 (2,193 mph).
Experimentation in hypersonic flight has been ongoing since the X-15, with NASA's X-15 rocket plane reaching Mach 6.7 (4,520 mph) in the 1960s. More recently, NASA's X-43A scramjet set an air-breathing speed record at Mach 9.6 (7,366 mph) in 2004. China has also tested hypersonic craft reportedly reaching up to Mach 12 (9,200 mph).
Despite these impressive feats, hypersonic aircraft are still largely experimental, with a focus on military applications such as missiles and experimental prototypes. The U.S. Air Force plans to begin rapid fielding of hypersonic missiles by fiscal year 2027, with full production decisions expected around 2029. Commercial or passenger hypersonic flights are not yet in service, with challenges remaining in aerodynamics, heat resistance, safety, and environmental impact.
China has announced a hypersonic aircraft capable of flying at about 12,427 mph, potentially traveling around the world in two hours, but it is not clear when such aircraft will be commercially available.
Meanwhile, private companies are also venturing into the world of hypersonic flight. Boeing has announced a concept hypersonic passenger aircraft with a planned flight within the next 20 to 30 years. Startup Boom Technology's Overture, an 80-passenger airliner designed to fly at Mach 1.7 (1,100 mph), has orders from United and American Airlines, with its order book currently standing at 130.
The Mach scale is particularly useful when flying close to the speed of sound. For those interested, a guide on the six different types of airspeeds will be provided in the conclusion.
In the meantime, let's not forget about the speedy private jets. Newer models cruise at Mach 0.90 (715 mph), while the two most popular narrow-body commercial jets, Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, fly at around Mach 0.78 (587 mph). The Concorde, a commercial aircraft introduced in 1976, was the fastest commercial aircraft of all time, cruising at Mach 2.04 (1,559 mph).
As we look to the future, the prospect of hypersonic commercial air travel is an exciting one. While challenges remain, the potential for significantly reducing travel times holds great promise. Stay tuned for more updates on this fascinating field of aviation.
The aerospace industry, in collaboration with the finance sector, is investing heavily in hypersonic technology, aiming to revolutionize commercial air travel. For instance, Boeing has introduced a concept for a hypersonic passenger aircraft, with plans for a flight within the next 20 to 30 years. Meanwhile, startups like Boom Technology are developing hypersonic liners such as the Overture, capable of cruising at Mach 1.7 (1,100 mph) and have orders from major airline companies like United and American Airlines.
