At Boeing's International Technology Symposium at the Parc des Expositions, Boeing unveiled the first animated graphics of its Sonic Cruiser, the revolutionary new passenger aircraft that will fly faster, higher and farther than today's commercial airplanes.

It is expected to change the way the world flies. The Sonic Cruiser program is now under way and Boeing anticipates first flight in the time period of 2006 - 2007.

Designed to fly almost at the speed of sound (.98 Mach), the Sonic Cruiser is faster than today's passenger airplanes whose top speed, with the exception of Concorde, is .85 Mach. For every 3,000 miles flown (4,800km) it will save one hour of flying time.

The Sonic Cruiser will also fly higher - as high as 49,000 feet - about 10,000 feet higher than today's commercial aircraft fleet. At the speeds the Sonic Cruiser will fly, there will be less air traffic, resulting in fewer route-related delays.

It also means there will be virtually no air turbulence, resulting in far greater passenger comfort.