A new supersonic aircraft design could cut the flight time from London to New York to just five hours, less than the current eight-hour journey. The Sky OV Evo, designed by Oscar Viñals from Barcelona, is a 'wingless' concept plane that could reach speeds of up to 1,141mph (Mach 1.5), more than double the speed of today's fastest commercial aircraft.
The plane would carry up to 300 passengers and feature luxurious amenities such as bedrooms, suites, bathrooms, and an in-flight chef. Despite being described as 'wingless', the design includes a blended wing shape to minimise drag, similar to concepts used by NASA to improve fuel economy.
According to the design agency, the Sky OV Evo would be lighter, quieter, and more efficient than current aircraft, with lower noise and emissions. It would also have a wingspan slightly larger than a Boeing 747 and could operate from existing airport terminals.
However, the plane remains a concept only, with no timeline for production. Another supersonic project, the Overture by Boom Supersonic, aims to achieve even faster speeds of 1,300mph, potentially reducing the New York to London journey to just three-and-a-half hours. Boom has already received orders from American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines.
