Imagine a world where flying from Sydney to Singapore could be as quick as driving from Sydney to Perth – a mere three hours. This vision was once a reality for Qantas, through their ambitious plans for the Boeing 2707, a supersonic jet designed to dominate global aviation.
Picture this: you’d breakfast at the Qantas lounge in Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane, then board a Boeing 2707, cruising at Mach 2.9, or over 2,900kph. Despite the time zone difference, you’d land in Singapore in time for a refreshing satay and Tiger beer at Boat Quay – a high-speed journey that would redefine travel.
The Other Supersonic Jet
In the 1960s, the Boeing 2707 was born from the same innovative spirit that fueled the ‘space race.’ Backed by U.S. Presidents Kennedy and Nixon, the project aimed to outpace both the Russian Tupolev and the ill-fated Anglo-French Concorde.
The Boeing 2707 was more than just an upgrade on the Concorde; it was an engineering marvel. Larger and faster, with a top cruise speed of Mach 2.9, it promised to redefine long-distance travel. To put it into perspective, while the Concorde cruised at over Mach 2, the Boeing 2707 would slice through the sky at nearly triple the speed of today’s standard Airbus A380.
Moreover, the Boeing 2707 was designed to carry up to 230 passengers in comfort, with seating inside the cabin resembling today’s business-class lounges. This was a stark contrast to the Concorde’s 128-passenger capacity and cramped conditions.
Concept artwork from the era illustrates a design featuring three-abreast seating, a luxurious upgrade compared to the Concorde’s compact first class. Its spacious cabin was designed to capacitate more passengers in much greater comfort.
Boeing’s SST captured the imagination of airlines around the world. Twelve airlines placed reservations for over 100 aircraft, including Qantas, which secured six for their fleet. Qantas had ambitious plans to link Australian capital cities with Singapore, offering seamless connections to London via Bahrain.
But this supersonic dream faced significant hurdles.
So Why Didn’t the Boeing 2707 Take Off?
Economic feasibility was the first challenge. Sky-high fuel costs and the increasing public focus on fuel efficiency made a gas-guzzling, four-engine jet like the Boeing 2707 too costly to operate.
The popularity of wide-body jets soon valued capacity and payload over speed and luxury. Airlines began favoring larger aircraft that could travel slowly over longer distances at lower fares, a trend initiated by the Boeing 747. The shrinking supersonic market compounded Boeing’s problems.
Environmental concerns also played a role. Sonic booms, loud noises caused by breaking the sound barrier, and potential damage to the ozone layer were major drawbacks. Public and regulatory scrutiny grew, affecting the project’s viability.
By 1971, after significant expenditure and prolonged uncertainty, Boeing halted the SST program. No full-size prototype was ever built; only a few mockups and wind tunnel models remain. However, the Boeing 2707’s legacy continues. The Museum of Flight in Seattle holds part of a mockup, including its flight deck, alongside a retired British