Supersonic business jet

Reno, Nevada, USA-based Aerion Corp has announced that Texas-based Flexjet, will be the inaugural fleet purchaser of its Supersonic Business Jet, AS2.

Aerion says Flexjet has placed a firm order for 20 of Aerion’s AS2 aircraft, which will be the first commercially available supersonic passenger jet since the retirement of Concorde.  The aircraft will cruise at Mach 1.5 and carry eight to 12 passengers.

The AS2 has an intercontinental-capable range of 4,750 nautical miles at supersonic speed, greater than Concorde, but not quite so fast, with New York – London possible in a little over four hours.  Flown subsonically the range is extended by nearly 1,000 miles.

The three-engine jet, now under development by Aerion in collaboration with Airbus Group, will make its first flight in 2021 and enter service in 2023. www.aerionsupersonic.com

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OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum

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Adam Twidell, St Albans

We predict a New York - London one way will cost $300K on the AS2. This is vastly more expensive than today's market rates of $60K for a Gulfstream G-IV with 14 passengers seats. The other major disadvantage of the AS2 will its the very long and thin cabin, which will be cramped compared to all other long range private jets. There will be a market for the AS2 but it will be very limited.

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Barry Graham, Washington, DC

I wonder how much the seats will cost if it can only carry 12 people? Commercially available means commercially viable and affordable. $50000 a seat is not commercially available if that's what it will cost.

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