The Return of the Supersonic Jet

The Concorde made its final flight in October 2003, putting an end to an era of glamorous high-speed travel. Now, more than two decades later, a new generation of aerospace companies is racing to bring back passenger flights that break the sound barrier. The promise is clear: shorter flight times, modern luxury, and the ability to fly from New York to London in just three and a half hours.

The Frontrunner: Boom Supersonic

Currently, the most prominent company leading the charge is Boom Supersonic. Based in Colorado, Boom is developing a commercial jet called the Overture. This aircraft is designed to fly at Mach 1.7, which is roughly 1,300 miles per hour. That is twice the speed of today’s fastest commercial airliners.

The Overture will be much smaller than a traditional jumbo jet. It is designed to carry between 64 and 80 passengers in an all-business-class configuration. Boom is already securing massive financial commitments from major airlines.

United Airlines was the first major US carrier to sign a purchasing agreement. United agreed to buy 15 Overture jets with an option to purchase 35 more. American Airlines followed shortly after, placing a non-refundable deposit on 20 Overture aircraft with options for an additional 40. Internationally, Japan Airlines invested 10 million dollars into Boom and secured options for 20 aircraft.

Boom is actively building its manufacturing facility, dubbed the “Superfactory,” at the Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina. The company expects to roll out the first completed Overture jet in 2026, conduct its first test flight in 2027, and welcome paying passengers by 2029.

The Challenge of the Sonic Boom

One of the biggest hurdles facing supersonic travel is the noise. When an airplane flies faster than the speed of sound, it creates shockwaves that merge into a massive sonic boom. This loud explosion-like sound can shatter glass and deeply disturb communities on the ground. Because of this, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned civilian supersonic flights over the continental United States in 1973.

To solve this problem, NASA is partnering with Lockheed Martin to build an experimental aircraft called the X-59. The goal of the X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology (QueSST) project is to reshape the aircraft so the shockwaves do not merge. Instead of a loud boom, the plane will produce a soft “sonic thump” that sounds more like a distant car door closing. NASA plans to fly the X-59 over several US cities to gather public reaction data. If the noise levels are acceptable, the FAA and international regulators may lift the overland speed ban.

Until that ban is lifted, jets like the Overture will only fly at supersonic speeds over the ocean. They will slow down to standard cruising speeds when flying over land. Even with this restriction, oceanic routes are highly lucrative. A flight from Seattle to Tokyo would take roughly six hours instead of ten.

Fueling the Future Responsibly

The original Concorde was a marvel of engineering, but it was incredibly inefficient. It burned massive amounts of fossil fuels and produced heavy carbon emissions. Today’s airlines are under intense pressure to reduce their carbon footprints.

To address this, Boom Supersonic has committed to running the Overture on 100 percent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). SAF is produced from renewable materials like agricultural waste, used cooking oil, and municipal solid waste. Using SAF can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80 percent compared to standard jet fuel.

Finding the right engine to run cleanly at Mach 1.7 was a major roadblock. After traditional engine manufacturers like Rolls-Royce stepped away from the project, Boom decided to build its own engine. The company partnered with Florida Turbine Technologies to develop a custom propulsion system called the Symphony. The Symphony engine is designed to generate 35,000 pounds of thrust while operating efficiently on pure SAF.

Expected Ticket Prices

Flying on the Concorde was famously expensive. In the early 2000s, a round-trip ticket across the Atlantic cost around 12,000 dollars. Adjusted for inflation, that price would be completely out of reach for most modern travelers.

The new wave of supersonic companies wants to make fast travel more accessible. Boom Supersonic is designing the Overture so that airlines can price tickets similarly to current long-haul business class fares. A round-trip supersonic flight from New York to London is expected to cost between 5,000 and 8,000 dollars. While this is still a premium price, it aligns with what corporate travelers already pay for lie-flat seats on standard subsonic flights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Concorde stop flying? The Concorde retired in 2003 due to a combination of high operating costs, low ticket sales, and a general downturn in the aviation industry following the September 11 attacks. A tragic crash in Paris in the year 2000 also severely damaged public confidence in the aircraft.

How fast will the new supersonic jets fly? Boom’s Overture is designed to cruise at Mach 1.7, which is about 1,300 miles per hour over water. This is slightly slower than the Concorde (which flew at Mach 2.0) but still twice as fast as modern commercial jets.

When can I buy a ticket for a supersonic flight? Boom Supersonic targets 2029 for its first commercial passenger flights. You will likely be able to book tickets through partner airlines like United and American Airlines about a year before the inaugural flight.

Will supersonic jets fly over the United States? Not immediately. Current FAA regulations strictly prohibit commercial aircraft from flying faster than the speed of sound over land. Until NASA proves that new jet designs can muffle the sonic boom, supersonic flights will only take place over the ocean.