Why Isn't Air Travel Getting Faster?

Jet-powered passenger aircraft speeds have seen minimal progress since the 1950s, with modern planes like the Boeing 787-10 matching 1960s speeds. Congestion in airports and skies has led to slower travel on many routes. Qantas's Project Sunrise non-stop flights from Australia to London and New York are now expected to launch in November 2027, delayed from earlier targets.

Supersonic travel, once envisioned as the future, remains elusive due to sonic boom restrictions and high operating costs, despite ongoing development of new supersonic jets. The pursuit of a truly zero-carbon fuel for aviation is a major challenge. Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) reduce emissions but are costly and not zero-emission. Hydrogen power, while emission-free, requires extreme cooling and is decades from practical use.