[bscholl]

We have the same gas mileage (fuel per seat mile) as a lay-flat bed in business class. Since the aircraft can do nearly 3X as many trips in the same time, on net it's better.

That's just the start of course—with more innovation on fuel efficiency the price and emissions both come down.

$5,000 is what a business class ticket NY/London costs today, and many business travelers are able to do that routinely. This compares to up to $20k on Concorde.

We will get the $5,000 way down over time—this is just the start.

[Someone]

"Since the aircraft can do nearly 3X as many trips in the same time"

Isn't that a bit optimistic? I would think it's closer to 2X. 2.6 times the airspeed, but why would turnaround time at the airport be any lower than for a comparably modern 'slow' airplane?

For example, 6 hour flight plus 1 hour turnaround time versus 2.3 hours plus 1 hour turnaround time is more or less a factor of 2. For longer flights, the ratio goes up a bit, but getting it over 2.5? I doubt it, at "the 2.6 times as fast as a typical passenger jet" level.

[erikpukinskis]

Boarding should be faster, since it's only 40 seats and, ostensibly, roomier.

[cma]

Same would apply to an all business class lay-flat flight.

[foobarqux]

What is the biggest line item in your costs? Fuel?

[krisoft]

Developing an airplane, I would guess.

[rabidonrails]

I heard it was the little bags of peanuts :P

[foobarqux]

I meant operating costs.

[jonknee]

Yes, fuel is the major operating cost of an airliner...

[mnw21cam]

Similarly, for a jet engine, the fuel burned in it accounts for 99% of the environmental impact.