LONDON – Brits planning US holidays to New York City could find themselves only facing a five-hour flight time in the near future, thanks to a new ‘wingless’ plane design that looks like something out of a sci-fi film.
The supersonic aircraft could transport up to 300 passengers and reach speeds of up to 1,141mph (Mach 1.5) – over double the speed of the quickest commercial planes flying today. Currently, the flight time between London and New York is approximately eight hours.
Designed by Oscar Viñals from Barcelona, the Sky OV Evo won’t be full of small economy seats with passengers crammed in. Instead, it will boast the likes of bedrooms, suites and bathrooms – and there’s even talk of food served up by an in-flight chef.
On its website, the design agency explains: “The future airplane’s engines and aircraft would be lighter, quieter and more efficient, the experience to fly would be considerably different than today, more space, special commodities, all kind of luxuries… etc . Our aircraft designs research focuses on these enabling technologies and their application to future flight concepts is full of amazing innovations.”
While the plane is tipped as ‘wingless’, it does have a design that does of course feature a ‘blended’ wing-shaped design, which is reportedly to help minimise drag. Designers say that the shape has also been used by the likes of NASA as it can “help to increase fuel economy”.
The agency adds: “An aircraft of this type would have a wingspan slightly greater than a Boeing 747 and could operate from existing airport terminals, adding that the plane would also ‘weigh less, generate less noise and emissions, and cost less to operate than an equally advanced conventional transport aircraft’.”
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