A FUTURISTIC jet that ditches windows for ‘supernatural vision’ is set to take to the skies by 2030 – aiming to combine speed, efficiency, and a new king of in-flight experience.
The Phantom 3500 is the latest transonic aircraft in development, offering an unconventional take on modern private air travel.
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Developed by Otto Aviation in California, the Phantom 3500 is designed to cruise through the skies at altitudes of 51,000 feet while delivering a smooth, fuel-efficient ride for four to six passengers.
It swaps traditional windows for ultra-realistic high-definition screens, offering passengers panoramic virtual views in a sleek, seamless cabin.
Why no windows? According to engineers, they’re a structural nightmare.
Windows add weight, weaken the fuselage, and disrupt the airflow around the aircraft, all of which reduce fuel efficiency.
By removing them, Otto has created a near-perfect aerodynamic body that glides through the air with minimal resistance.
The Phantom 3500 is all about laminar flow, a scientific term for smooth, uninterrupted airflow over the fuselage.
This is achieved with a precision-shaped carbon-fibre hull that reduces drag, burns less fuel, and extends range.
The company estimates fuel savings of up to 35 per cent compared to traditional jets, with emissions potentially slashed by 80 per cent.
Instead of feeling boxed into a metal tube, passengers will step into an 800-cubic-foot luxury cabin wrapped in digital ‘windows’.
High-definition screens span both walls and the ceiling, showing real-time footage from outside the aircraft.
It’s more immersive than a regular porthole – and a lot bigger too.
The jet will be powered by twin turbofan engines and features short, wide wings for greater lift and versatility.
It’s expected to fly 3,200 nautical miles on a single tank and can use shorter runways than many current business jets – meaning access to smaller, regional airfields.
The Phantom 3500 isn’t alone in pushing the boundaries of flight.
Across the Atlantic, Venus Aerospace is working on the Stargazer, a hypersonic aircraft that could travel at speeds of Mach 4 and beyond.
Backed by NASA, it’s aiming to shrink the London-to-New York journey to just over an hour, with a commercial debut also targeted for the 2030s.
The Stargazer uses a rocket-based propulsion system and a revolutionary new nozzle design to reach speeds of up to Mach 9.
It’s being billed as the first reusable hypersonic aircraft that could make two-hour global travel a reality.
Between Otto’s transonic windowless jet and Venus Aerospace’s hypersonic speedster, the future of flight is shaping up to be faster, cleaner, and far more stylish.
With the Phantom 3500, jet-setters may soon be swapping window seats for a high-tech view that’s better than the real thing – all while flying smoother, higher, and greener than ever before.
VENUS STARGAZER BY THE NUMBERS
Here’s what you need to know…
- Weight: 150,000 pounds
- Length: 150 feet
- Width: 100 feet
- Top speed: Mach 9 (6,900mph)
- Actual cruising speed: Mach 4/5 (3,000-3,800mph)
- Cruising altitude: 170,000 feet
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