I say no.
Anything other than a constant thrust to orbit is pointless to even discuss right now and that includes space elevator.
The only MAJOR problem we have right now is the base problem of fuel it takes to get into Orbit. Everything else is easily fixed with research and robots.
An aircraft engine has extremely HIGH ISP but requires access to air. As air gets thinner it loses thrust and thus is no good to get into orbit. But if it maintained the thrust it has on the ground and the ISP it could theoretically take a craft into orbit.
So this is what you need. an engine about the size of a 777 engine that can convert fuel or mass into energy at extremely high ISP all the way into Orbit.
VASIMR has that ISP in space but space does not matter cause even ion engines have plenty of ISP. You need VASIMR ISP with 777 thust at sea level.
I suspect it will be some VASIMR like thing connected to a reactor. and a few normal engines to assist for takeoff and climb to 40k ft. It will take a few hours to get into orbit but it surely can carry 500 people a flight.
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