NASA's X-59 plane promises London to New York flight in 3.5 hours with quieter sound

NASA's experimental X-59 Quesst airplane can fly from London to New York in about 3.5 hours at speeds of 937 mph. Unlike previous supersonic planes, it produces a quieter "thump" instead of a loud boom, allowing it to fly over land. The X-59 is designed to meet noise regulations that have restricted supersonic flights over land for over 50 years. NASA aims to gather data on public response to the aircraft's sound during test flights over U.S. cities starting in 2026. Initial flight tests are expected to begin later this year, with further phases planned to validate its performance and community acceptance. NASA hopes this technology will pave the way for future quiet supersonic commercial flights.