A.R.S.E.

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/2012040 ... o-take-off" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's about time.. We haven't made any real progress in commercial aviation for 30 years! Yeah sure modern jets are more efficient but considering the progress made elsewhere it's mildly disappointing that we can't fly SYD-LA in 5-6 hrs by now.

The technology has existed for quite a while but it's a question of cost/benefit. Most airlines have enough trouble making the bottom line work as it is. Fuel - seat/mile cost - is their biggest worry.