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Boom (YC W16) – Supersonic Passenger Airplanes

boom.aero

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Re: Boom (YC W16) – Supersonic Passenger Airplanes

#281

Post by jacobush »

bscholl wrote: post #214
mmcclure wrote: post #202

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Do you actually think most anyone can afford $5000 round trip to London? I'm genuinely curious where you got "most anyone" from their marketing copy. I read it as "affordable for people flying business class," but that might be because I was thinking in the context of Concorde pricing. Edit: Derp, totally glossed over that part of the parent comment.

$5,000 isn't an "everyone every time" price, of course. But it's low enough for routine business travel. With more innovation (this is just V1!), we can improve fuel economy and reduce prices further.

Wasn't the V1 subsonic and V2 supersonic? Sorry...

Re: Boom (YC W16) – Supersonic Passenger Airplanes

#282

Post by krisoft »

foobarqux wrote: post #259
bscholl wrote: post #201

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We have the same gas mileage (fuel per seat mile) as a lay-flat bed in business class. Since the aircraft can do nearly 3X as many trips in the same time, on net it's better. That's just the start of course—with more innovation on fuel efficiency the price and emissions both come down. $5,000 is what a business class ticket NY/London costs today, and many business travelers are able to do that routinely. This compare…

What is the biggest line item in your costs? Fuel?

Developing an airplane, I would guess.

Re: Boom (YC W16) – Supersonic Passenger Airplanes

#283

Post by bscholl »

nether wrote: post #246
bscholl wrote: post #192

Hi - I'm Blake, Founder/CEO at Boom. After watching no tangible progress in supersonics since Concorde was shut down, I started Boom because I want supersonic flight in our lifetime. Not just as a private jet, but something most anyone can afford to fly. Will try to answer as many questions here as I can.

How are you reducing the boom? Are you widening part of the forebody to increase the local air temp & mach no to weaken the shock? What about redirecting the shock?

Sonic boom physics are subtle and counter-intuitive. High level, you: (1) keep the airplane as small and light as possible (reduces total shock energy) (2) carefully shape the fuselage and wings, so the shocks don't combine as strongly

Re: Boom (YC W16) – Supersonic Passenger Airplanes

#284

Post by bscholl »

Bluestrike2 wrote: post #251
bscholl wrote: post #192

Hi - I'm Blake, Founder/CEO at Boom. After watching no tangible progress in supersonics since Concorde was shut down, I started Boom because I want supersonic flight in our lifetime. Not just as a private jet, but something most anyone can afford to fly. Will try to answer as many questions here as I can.

It's such a silly thing, but I love the name.

Thanks! :-)

Re: Boom (YC W16) – Supersonic Passenger Airplanes

#285

Post by bscholl »

hguant wrote: post #221
bscholl wrote: post #215

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We're teaming with existing and new airlines to bring aircraft into service. Posted ticket prices are based on what's profitable for airlines with the efficiency and performance of the airplane. Airlines will set the final prices, but we hope they will make tickets as affordable as possible!

I wish I could share your hope. Good luck to you - this is a really exciting idea and one that I think we need!

Thank you! It's an idea whose time has come...

Re: Boom (YC W16) – Supersonic Passenger Airplanes

#286

Post by ghaff »

rdl wrote: post #222
dantiberian wrote: post #153

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can almost guarantee that you will not be cramped in these planes. They're selling it as an alternative to business class.

Concorde was almost coach level cramped. There is no way this will be as comfortable as top end subsonic lie flat business or first class. For 3h vs 6h that doesn't matter. For 7h vs 13h I assert it does.

In a number of ways, modern upper class air travel is significantly more comfortable than it was throughout most of the Concorde era. First class and then business class were a lot more like today's domestic first/business class even for long haul international flights. Of course, things like entertainment options are a lot better today as well. (Though there's no 747 upstairs first class lounge :-))

Security, etc. is worse of course--though that's largely outside of the airline's control.

Re: Boom (YC W16) – Supersonic Passenger Airplanes

#288

Post by bscholl »

JoshTriplett wrote: post #225
bscholl wrote: post #192

Hi - I'm Blake, Founder/CEO at Boom. After watching no tangible progress in supersonics since Concorde was shut down, I started Boom because I want supersonic flight in our lifetime. Not just as a private jet, but something most anyone can afford to fly. Will try to answer as many questions here as I can.

For the price you quoted, what will the seating situation be? Comparable to existing international coach, or somewhere between coach and business class? Do you have approximate seating charts and spacing? Will that vary by airline, or do you plan to standardize it?

We're baselining an experience better than domestic first class. One seat on each side of aisle, so everyone gets a window and aisle. There's more footroom and more headroom than the typical first class on a 737 or A320.

But this is something airlines can customize.

Re: Boom (YC W16) – Supersonic Passenger Airplanes

#289

Post by Inthenameofmine »

bscholl wrote: post #192

Hi - I'm Blake, Founder/CEO at Boom. After watching no tangible progress in supersonics since Concorde was shut down, I started Boom because I want supersonic flight in our lifetime. Not just as a private jet, but something most anyone can afford to fly. Will try to answer as many questions here as I can.

What's your opinion on the Skylon engine? http://www.reactionengines.co.uk/space_skylon.html

Re: Boom (YC W16) – Supersonic Passenger Airplanes

#290

Post by tempestn »

mikeryan wrote: post #131
jonknee wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You don't say "Boeing" when you go through TSA as it is. That said, this thing will never fly.

Funny I had assumed that Boom was the name of the "airline" but on second look the name seems to be both an airline and the name of the plane? Or is the 5k just a price point for selling the plane? Now I'm confused what these guys do...

Boom is the company making the plane. The $5000 is an estimated ticket price based on the plane's relative cost of operation compared to modern jetliners.
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