Seattle, 22. December 2002

Boeing axes the Sonic Cruiser, goes for efficiency

The Sonic Cruiser was Boeing's project for the future. Flying at high speed to shorten flight times, that was the vision. But in late December, the company axed its ambitious plans and shelved the Sonic Cruiser project. Instead, they now want to build a super-efficient aircraft.

The Sonic Cruiser was planed as a new airplane concept. The airplane would have a dramatic new configuration and would be designed to fly as fast as Mach 0.98, shortening travel times by about 15%. The operational costs would be higher than with today's airliners, but Boeing believed that passengers would pay premium rates to fly in less time. "Faster flight is what passengers want," said Walt Gillette, vice president and program manager of the Sonic Cruiser program during a presentation in June 2002. Today, it looks like the market is not yet ready for this airplane.

A computer animated design of the Sonic Cruiser (Picture by Boeing)

Many people regarded the Sonic Cruiser program as an answer to the Airbus A380, compared speed with size. However, the two programs are completely different. While the A380 is designed for up to 555 passengers in a typical three-class interior layout. The program is on track, according to Airbus, the first A380 will enter airline service in 2006.

Instead of the Sonic Cruiser, Boeing's commercial aircraft division is now working on another new concept. Boeing is in process to plan a new super-efficient airliner in the range of about 250 passengers, to fill the gap between the aging 757 and the 767 [see our report]. The new airliner is expected to be on the market by 2008. This new airliner would also be a direct competitor to the successful Airbus A330.

Boeing said, the new airliner will need about 20% less fuel than its direct competitors, the Boeing 767 and the Airbus A330. It is undoubted that there is still a potential to save fuel and get more efficiency. Boeing will probably use more new materials which are less weighty. But another important part in the efficiency is not manufactured by Boeing. The engines. They are burning the fuel. This will be another crucial point in the program, if Boeing intents to bring out something revolutionary.

Michael Meier

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