Boeing Sonic Cruiser Project Shelved

Posted by michael on Friday December 20, 2002 @02:42AM from the puddle-jumper dept.

jonerik writes "The Seattle Post-Intelligencer is reporting that Boeing is set to announce the cancellation of its Sonic Cruiser project tomorrow; not because the technology wasn't mature enough, but because the company was unable to make the case for an airliner that would fly at just under the speed of sound in the airline industry's post-9/11 business environment. Too bad, too. It was a very cool-looking plane. Instead, the company will focus on a new ultra-efficient airliner - codenamed 'Yellowstone' - that will look very much like its existing 767 and 777 models. The new aircraft is expected to be ready to enter service in 2008, two years after Airbus' mammoth 555-seat A380 is expected to be ready for service."

3 of 285 comments (clear)

That's too bad by davidstrauss · 2002-12-20 02:47 · Score: 5, Funny

Cool-looking projects should never be canceled.
Overheard at Boeing by kitzilla · 2002-12-20 03:05 · Score: 5, Funny

"What...people want AFFORDABLE air travel, not super-cool concept planes? Who do they think we are--Airbus?"

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Re:Why don't they... by Ralph+Wiggam · 2002-12-20 03:42 · Score: 5, Funny

"Explosion-resistant cargo bay to enhance survivability should a bomb make it on board."

They could use steel reenforced concrete. It would be impervious.

-B