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Supersonic flight is making a bold return as the U.S. lifts
its 52-year ban, paving the way for Boom Supersonic’s
Overture—an eco-conscious, Mach 1.7 airliner set to
redefine global travel by 2029.
MICHAEL SPEED
After more than half a century grounded by regulation, supersonic flight is once again cleared to chart a path over the American mainland. In a historic policy shift, the U.S. government has lifted its 52-year ban on overland supersonic travel—a decision that positions the nation at the forefront of next-generation aviation and clears the runway for Boom Supersonic’s revolutionary plans.
At the center of this bold reawakening is Boom’s XB-1, a sleek demonstrator jet that recently achieved Mach 1 in test flights—silently, without the thunderclap sonic boom that once rattled windows and grounded public support for its predecessor, the Concorde. Nicknamed “Baby Boom,” the XB-1 is a scaled-down marvel of modern aerospace engineering: carbon-composite structure, refined aerodynamics, and three GE J85-15 turbojets working in harmony to deliver supersonic performance with 21st-century efficiency.
But XB-1 is just the prelude. Boom’s grand vision takes shape in the Overture: a full-scale, commercial supersonic airliner designed to carry 64 to 80 passengers at speeds of Mach 1.7—nearly twice the speed of today’s fastest commercial aircraft. With the promise of cutting transatlantic flight times in half—New York to London in just 3.5 hours—Overture is poised to do more than resurrect supersonic travel; it aims to redefine it.
Unlike the Concorde, which was criticized for its fuel consumption and limited reach, Overture is designed from the ground up to be both efficient and environmentally forward-thinking. It will run exclusively on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), a move Boom believes is essential to the future of flight. Every contour of the aircraft reflects a commitment to minimizing drag, reducing noise, and maximizing range—with its “gull-wing” configuration and proprietary Symphony engines built specifically for quieter, cleaner supersonic propulsion.
The market has responded with overwhelming enthusiasm. Boom has already secured hundreds of orders and options from major global carriers, including United Airlines, American Airlines, and Japan Airlines—each of whom views the aircraft not just as a technological marvel, but as a competitive advantage. The first passenger flights are scheduled to launch in 2029, with routes carefully curated to take advantage of new overland permissions and international demand for speed, privacy, and convenience.
Beyond its speed, Overture represents a return to glamour in air travel—a rarefied experience where time is compressed, and luxury is measured not in seats but in seconds saved. For business travelers, celebrities, and dignitaries accustomed to global mobility, the supersonic renaissance offers something both nostalgic and thrillingly new.
In a world where innovation is increasingly defined by sustainability and experience, Boom Supersonic has captured both. With regulatory skies cleared and the XB-1 already proving that quiet supersonic flight is more than possible—it’s inevitable—the future of air travel will once again move faster than sound.