Boom: United Airlines Orders Supersonic Jets

Daniel Eleff – DansDeals

I’ve often lamented about missing the era of supersonic travel and when it might return.

After touring Airbus Headquarters and customizing an A330neo with an airline in Toulouse, it was sad seeing the parked Concorde outside, with its failed promise to change the way we travel:

But will today be a turning point in supersonic aviation?

United just announced that they have agreed to buy 15 Boom Overture Supersonic jets with an option to buy up to 50!

The plane from Denver startup Boom is expected to fly by 2026 and carry passengers by 2029, though timelines often slip in aviation.

The plane will fly at Mach 1.7 and could halve the time that it takes to fly existing routes. A flight from Newark to London would take 3.5 hours instead of 6.5 hours.

Newark to Tel Aviv in less than the time it takes to fly Newark to Los Angeles today? Sign me up!

United says that the plane will have similar economics to the 787 and will be carbon neutral. While the Dreamliner cruises at 561mph, the Overture will cruise at 1,304mph.

The plane will cruise at 60,000 feet and feature between 65-88 seats in a 1-1 all business class configuration.

It will be 75% more efficient than the Concorde and unlike the Concorde, it will be able to muffle its sonic boom, which should be enough to win approval to fly over land. Those issues along with safety concerns doomed the Concorde.

It’s too early to know if this will all come true, but it’s great to know that the supersonic dream isn’t dead!

Are you excited for a 2nd era of supersonic travel?