As the world entered a new millennium, ambition was high in the aviation industry as companies began launching bold and impressive projects.
In Europe, Airbus went big and unveiled its A380 to much fanfare from the industry. Shortly after its rival’s launch, across the pond Boeing revealed its Sonic Cruiser on March 29, 2001.
The company had recently withdrawn its proposed 747X variant from competition with the A380 because there was little interest from airlines, and instead proposed the Sonic Cruiser as a completely different answer.
With capacity for between 200 and 250 passengers, the jet was designed for rapid point-to-point flying instead of the hub and spoke model of the A380. American Airlines and Virgin Atlantic were reported to have been openly enthusiastic about the potential design. The UK carrier’s boss, Richard Branson expected to make a tentative order for three to six aircraft in May 2001.
A 1/40-scale model was unveiled at the Paris Air Show in June that year to much fanfare from the onlookers. Popular Science magazine n…
