The Aerion AS2 jet is signaling the return of supersonic air travel, though on a private level rather than a commercial one.
The aircraft is currently in development under a partnership between airplane designers Aerion and Airbus, Digital Trends reported. The two companies look to give the jet a top speed of Mach 1.6, which is equivalent to just above 1,200 miles per hour (mph), along with a cruise speed of Mach 1.1 or Mach 1.2.
Achieving this top speed will allow the Aerion AS2 to get from London to New York in four hours, 20 minutes. A trip from San Francisco to Japan will take a little over six hours. The cruise speed will be used for areas where supersonic flight isn't allowed. Restrictions against this form of travel are due to noise problems created by sonic booms.
The announcement follows just over a decade after the retiring of the Concorde, a commercial airplane capable of traveling at supersonic speeds, according to Yahoo! Autos.
The new jet will come with a 30-foot cabin and will seat 11 passengers. The cabin will feature a separate dining room, stateroom, and a shower.
Aerion says it is aiming to begin flight tests in 2019 and ready to provide trips by 2021, Digital Trends reported. In the meantime, Aerion and Airbus will look for a partner to build the three engines needed for the jet.
A trip aboard the Aerion AS2 won't be cheap, as the jet will reportedly cost $100 million.
