World's newest luxury transonic jet swaps windows with ‘supernatural vision' and prepares to fly passengers by 2030
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.
6
Built on the revolutionary tech proven by our laminar flow technology demonstrator, the Phantom 3500 delivers transonic speeds at a fraction of the price
Credit: Otto Aviation
6
The Phantom 3500 is Otto Aviation's next-generation aircraft, engineered to redefine efficiency, range, and performance
Credit: Otto Aviation
6
It swaps traditional windows for ultra-realistic high-definition screens, offering passengers panoramic virtual views in a sleek, seamless cabin
Credit: Otto Aviation
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,
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.
Read more on Technology
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.
Most read in Tech
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
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
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
6
The jet will be powered by twin turbofan engines and features short, wide wings for greater lift and versatility
Credit: Otto Aviation
6
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
Credit: Otto Aviation
6
It's expected to fly 3,200 nautical miles on a single tank and can use shorter runways than many current business jet
Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
17-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
World's newest luxury transonic jet swaps windows with ‘supernatural vision' and prepares to fly passengers by 2030
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. 6 Built on the revolutionary tech proven by our laminar flow technology demonstrator, the Phantom 3500 delivers transonic speeds at a fraction of the price Credit: Otto Aviation 6 The Phantom 3500 is Otto Aviation's next-generation aircraft, engineered to redefine efficiency, range, and performance Credit: Otto Aviation 6 It swaps traditional windows for ultra-realistic high-definition screens, offering passengers panoramic virtual views in a sleek, seamless cabin Credit: Otto Aviation 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, 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. Read more on Technology 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. Most read in Tech 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 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 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 6 The jet will be powered by twin turbofan engines and features short, wide wings for greater lift and versatility Credit: Otto Aviation 6 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 Credit: Otto Aviation 6 It's expected to fly 3,200 nautical miles on a single tank and can use shorter runways than many current business jet Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Irish Examiner
08-05-2025
- Irish Examiner
Canyon Otto SW-86: A stylish budget smartwatch with surprising stamina
If you're looking for a budget smartwatch that breaks away from the usual round or square shapes, the Canyon Otto SW-86 might catch your eye. I've spent the last two weeks wearing it daily, comparing it with my Apple Watch Series 10, and while it doesn't try to compete feature-for-feature, it's got its charm. Design The first thing you'll notice about the Otto SW-86 is its bold octagonal bezel — a unique change from the endless stream of generic smartwatch designs on the market. That said, I'm not personally enamoured with it. While the construction doesn't scream luxury, it feels well-built and sits comfortably on the wrist, even during sleep or workouts. At 44mm, it's not too bulky, and the display is bright enough for most lighting conditions. The watch has a silicone strap that uses standard 20mm, easily replaceable lugs. I'm not a fan of silicone straps anymore, so it's something I'd consider replacing, but that's just a matter of personal preference. You can switch between the six pre-loaded watch faces by pressing and holding the clock face, then swiping to choose your favourite. For even more options, the Canyon Life app lets you download additional faces, adding a nice layer of personalisation. That said, when compared to the vibrant always-on display and smooth animations of the Apple Watch Series 10, the Otto's user interface does feel a bit basic, but given the price point, it's a forgivable compromise. Features and performance The Otto SW-86 covers the essentials well. You'll get notifications for messages and calls, weather updates, and music and camera control from your wrist. It syncs reliably with your smartphone, and while you can't reply to messages or take calls directly like you can with the Apple Watch, it's a great companion for staying on top of alerts. Fitness-wise, it offers 25 sport modes, including swimming, thanks to its IP68 waterproof rating. I tested it during walks and cycle trips. Step counts and heart rate readings were generally not as accurate with my Apple Watch. The blood pressure readings should be viewed more as rough estimates than accurate clinical data. When I compared the watch's readings with those from a medical-grade blood pressure monitor, the differences were too significant to rely on for anything beyond casual tracking. Battery life is where the Otto easily beats the Apple Watch. I got under eight days on a single charge, compared to barely two with my Series 10. For anyone tired of nightly charging, this is a big win. Verdict The Canyon Otto SW-86 isn't here to dethrone the Apple Watch. Still, for a fraction of the price, it has enough basic features and excellent battery life, and just enough fitness tracking to make it a casual everyday companion. Otto deserves a look if you're after a budget-friendly smartwatch with style and staying power. €49
The Irish Sun
01-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Hypersonic 3,800mph ‘Stargazer' jet could now blast from London to NYC in 1 hour after Nasa-funded rocket engine upgrade
A HYPERSONIC jet could soar at thousands of miles an hour – slashing the flight time between London and New York to just over an hour thanks to a Nasa-funded engine upgrade. The Venus Stargazer has a flight range of 5,000 miles, and is set to arrive "as soon as the 2030s". 8 Venus Aerospace is working on a hypersonic plane Credit: venusaerospace 8 It could reach cruising speeds of 3,800mph Credit: venusaerospace 8 A Nasa-backed engine upgrade could make Mach 5 flights possible Credit: YouTube/@venusaerospace Venus Aerospace, its creator, recently completed revealed it was planning a flight demo "later this summer". The company said that thanks to a Nasa-funded breakthrough, the "record-setting" engine system is nearly ready to try out for real. Venus hopes that its rocket engine will be able to blast passengers around the Earth in record time. " Read more on hypersonic flight "No one has ever built a hypersonic platform that makes two-hour global transport cost-effective. Until now. "Our flagship product, Stargazer, will ascend from a central airport using advanced propulsion systems. "Our vehicle will accelerate from taxi to cruise speeds of Mach 4 at 110,000 feet with a top speed capable of Mach 9." The engine is set to feature a new Nasa-funded nozzle design. That's the part of the rocket that "shapes and directs power ". Most read in Tech This hi-tech nozzle will reportedly allow for speeds exceeding Mach 5 – or about 3,800mph. "We've already proven our engine outperforms traditional systems on both efficiency and size," said Venus Aerospace chief Sassie Duggleby. Inside nuclear-powered 'Skytanic' hotel that can stay airborne for months with 360 degree views & room for 5,000 guests "The technology we developed with NASA's support will now be part of our integrated engine platform. "Bringing us one step closer to proving that efficient, compact, and affordable hypersonic flight can be scaled." Typical flight distance between London and New York City is around 3,450 miles. Even at Mach 4 cruising speeds (around 3,070mph), the journey would take just over an hour. 8 Hypersonic flights could be here as soon as the 2030s, according to Vertical Aerospace Credit: venusaerospace 8 The company hopes that passengers will be able to reach anywhere in the world in a matter of hours Credit: YouTube/@venusaerospace 8 Flights would cruise at altitudes of 170,000 feet – far higher than a Boeing 747, which usually cruises at between 35,000 and 40,000 feet Credit: YouTube/@venusaerospace Venus Aerospace says that its rocket engine could be used for lots of different flight types. That includes: Spacecraft landers Low-Earth-orbit satellites Space cargo transfer vehicles Rocket kick-stages Hypersonic drones and missiles The company completed a supersonic flight test of a drone early last year. 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 Picture Credit: Venus Aerospace It saw the rocket firm blast a 300lb machine to Mach 0.9 (690mph) during a 10-mile flight. Now Venus is hoping that its new Nasa-funded engine nozzle will allow for a proper flight test, bringing a 2030 commercial launch closer to reality. "This is just the beginning of what can be achieved with Venus propulsion technology," said Venus Aerospace's tech chief Andrew Duggleby. "We've built a compact, high-performance system that unlocks speed, range, and agility across aerospace, defense, and many other applications. 8 The Venus Stargazer could potentially reach top speeds of Mach 9 Credit: YouTube/@venusaerospace 8 Mach 9 speeds would bring the craft close to 7,000mph Credit: YouTube/@venusaerospace "And we're confident in its readiness for flight." It comes after a massive plane dubbed the 'Skytanic' is set to The US is reportedly planning for a 'Son of Blackbird' jet that could become the world's fastest plane. And another hypersonic jet could whisk passengers from
