You probably recall us covering the promising potential for a super-fast flight from New York City to London before with news about the hypersonic concept called Skreemer.

But Boom, a new startup building really, really fast (supersonic, to be precise) planes that go over two times faster than the speed of sound. What exactly does that all mean? Think NYC to London in just 3.5 hours, and San Francisco to Tokyo in just 4.5 hours. 

And with help from Virgin CEO Richard Branson, they might now accomplish exactly that. Just last week, Branson signed a massive $2 billion deal with Boom to buy ten of these planes-- that is, if these forty-seat, $5,000/person jets are built successfully. 

“We can confirm that The Spaceship Company will provide engineering, design and manufacturing services, flight tests and operations and that we have an option on the first 10 airframes," a Virgin spokesperson confirmed last week. "It is still early days and just the start of what you’ll hear about our shared ambitions and efforts.

Boom founder and former Amazon executive, went on to elaborate to The Guardian, "This is supersonic passenger air travel, no bullshit, and it's actually affordable....Ultimately I want people to be able to get anywhere in the world in five hours for $100."

[anad]

5 hours, $100?! Wishful thinking, eh? Regardless, we'll keep you posted on any and all exciting news regarding Boom. 

But to be honest with you, in the meantime, we're just happy to get somewhere (anywhere, really) on JetBlue with those inexpensive, two-day flash sales they've been killing it with lately. JB, are you reading this!? 

Check out Which City Truly Is Best: London or NYC?

[Feature Image Courtesy The Guardian]