Elon Musk Promises 40-Minute Flights from NYC To Shanghai – Will Prices Make It Accessible To All?

In 2017, Elon Musk promised earthbound rocket flights that could take people long distances in less than half an hour. In 2024, Musk says we're closer than ever to achieving that reality. 

A physics engineer posted on X during the U.S. presidential election:

"Under Trump’s FAA, @SpaceX could even get Starship Earth to Earth approved in a few years – Taking people from any city to any other city on Earth in under one hour."

Elon Musk responded to the post with, "This is now possible."

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Musk envisions a future where intercontinental travel happens at speeds of up to 16,700 miles per hour using SpaceX’s Starship rockets. These rockets, originally designed for missions to the Moon and Mars, could allow a flight from New York City to Shanghai to take just 39 minutes. Flights from New York to London could be even shorter, taking only 30 minutes, according to Musk. 

While a rocket flight worldwide might be thrilling, it will be more intense than the average plane ride. Passengers would experience intense G-forces during takeoff and landing and need to stay strapped for the low-gravity journey. This also means there wouldn't be any accommodations like snacks or bathroom breaks. 

One of the biggest questions people have now is: what will it cost? 

Musk has previously claimed that these flights could one day be as affordable as an economy plane ticket. However, experts are skeptical. The current going rate for a 90-minute visit to space – from companies like Virgin Galactic – is just short of half a billion dollars per person. 

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A 2019 UBS report estimated that the high-speed, point-to-point space travel market could grow to $20 billion annually by 2030, especially as the technology improves. While Musk is optimistic about achieving point-to-point travel within the next few years, he hasn't said much about the price in the beginning. 

Launching rockets to replace long-haul flights raises safety and logistical challenges. Rockets are subject to stricter regulations than airplanes and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would need to approve these trips. Musk's suggestion that this approval could come quickly has sparked debate, especially since the technology is still being tested.

Even with challenges, experts believe the demand exists. More than 150 million passengers take flights longer than 10 hours each year. UBS estimated that the market could reach billions of dollars annually if just 5% of those flights switched to rockets at $2,500 per trip.

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Sam Dinkin, author and former CEO of SpaceShot, told CNBC in 2019 that he was not optimistic about an affordable consumer market for point-to-point travel. "I don’t think it’ll be here in 10 years," Dinkin said. "The market would be there at that price, but I don’t think the cost will be there."

While skeptics have doubts that the technology will be ready for regular use within the next few years, others see Musk's vision as a game-changer. This innovation could disrupt the airline industry, making space the next frontier for global travel.

For now, Musk's promise of a 40-minute trip from New York to Shanghai remains an exciting glimpse into the future. But whether these flights will ever be accessible to all – or remain a luxury for the wealthy – will depend on how quickly technology advances and costs come down.

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