Superfast jet in the pipeline

[Nutty_ZA]

London - British engineers unveiled plans on Tuesday for a hypersonic jet which could fly from Europe to Australia in less than five hours.

An artists impression of the A2 aircraft. (Adrian Mann, AFP)


The A2 plane, designed by engineering company Reaction Engines based in Oxfordshire, southern England, could carry 300 passengers at a top speed of almost 6 400km/h, five times the speed of sound.

The Lapcat (Long-Term Advanced Propulsion Concepts and Technologies) project, backed by the European Space Agency, could see the plane operating within 25 years, the firm's boss Alan Bond told the Guardian daily.

"The A2 is designed to leave Brussels international airport, fly quietly and subsonically out into the north Atlantic at mach 0.9 before reaching mach 5 across the North Pole and heading over the Pacific to Australia," he said.

The plane, which at 143m long would be about twice the size of the biggest current jets, could fly non-stop for up to 20 000km.

It operates on liquid hydrogen, which is more ecologically friendly as it gives off water and nitrous oxide instead of carbon emissions.

Passengers would have to put up with having no windows, due to problems with heat produced at high speeds. Instead designers may put flat screen televisions where the windows would be, giving the impression of seeing outside.

Fares would be comparable with current first class tickets on standard flights, of around £3 500.

The flight time from Brussels to Australia would be four hours and 40 minutes. "It sounds incredible by today's standards but I don't see why future generations can't make day trips to Australasia," he said.
"Our work shows that it is possible technically; now it's up to the world to decide if it wants it."

At £3 500.00, I don't think too many people will be making Day Trips

[Waldo]

Think I'd better start saving now!

It would be wonderful if they could do something like this, because at the moment my hopes of getting to Australia are a great big NIL as my other half is slightly claustrophobic and flights over 7 hours are impossible!

[InLove]

I've always wanted to go to Australia but £3,500 is just a tinsy bit a bit more than I can afford Although the idea of it being only 4 hours is fantastic! AND its eco friendly

If I was rich enough I'd pay that price to be eco friendly.

[sabredragon]

I dont think i'd be paying £3500 for a day trip .
But I bet theres a lot of business users who would relish the chance to fly down do the deal & fly back .
We knew of a chap that used to fly Concorde to the states 1st flight out in the morning do a days business then fly home later expensive but when you have offices there its good to be able to be there for the deals .

[Mike]

It takes about 5 hours to drive from Wigan to London

[Nutty_ZA]

Is that why you refer toLondon as "Down Under"????

[madcat]

Originally Posted by Nutty_ZA

Is that why you refer toLondon as "Down Under"????

Very good!!!

I heard about this, it would be fantastic. I have family in Australia but I can't get there as my medical condition means I would be in agony on the flight and even if I broke the trip I wouldnt manage. This would be fantastic for me, but I don't think that my benefit would stretch that far

MadCat