Supersonic air travel is poised to make a comeback thanks to Boom Supersonic, an aerospace company aiming to develop passenger jets capable of flying at speeds faster than Mach 1. Their Overture jet is designed to fly from New York to London in a lightning-fast 3.5 hours, heralding a new era of high-speed mobility. As a tech professional closely following innovations in the aerospace sector, I analyzed Boom‘s ambitious plans to resurrect supersonic flight for the mainstream.
The Quest to Revive Supersonic Travel
Supersonic passenger travel ended in 2003 when the legendary Concorde was retired after 27 years of service. Capable of cruising at Mach 2 and seating just 92-128 passengers, the Concorde flew transatlantic routes between Europe and North America in half the time of standard jets. However, incredibly high operating costs ultimately doomed the aircraft as Air France and British Airways pulled the Concorde from service.
Nearly two decades later, Colorado-based Boom Supersonic formed with the mission of overcoming the Concorde‘s shortcomings to usher in a new era of affordable supersonic flight. Led by CEO Blake Scholl, Boom has attracted over $270 million in funding from investors and pre-orders from major airlines. The company made headlines in 2020 when it unveiled the XB-1, a 71-foot demonstrator jet that will pave the way for Boom‘s flagship Overture airliner.
Overture By the Numbers: Specs and Timeline
So what sets the Overture apart from past supersonic jets? For starters, Boom engineered the aircraft for speed, efficiency and sustainability.
Speed: Cruising at Mach 1.7 over water, the Overture will fly at 1,300 mph – cutting standard business class flight times in half. New York to London, usually a 7 hour slog, will take just 3.5 hours. No stops, no layovers.
Efficiency: The Overture is powered by newly-designed engines that use sustainable aviation fuel, which Boom says will make operating costs competitive enough to offer fares comparable to today‘s business class. Reusable technologies also aim to maximize time in the air and minimize downtime on the ground.
Sustainability: Boom is optimizing every aspect of the aircraft to reduce emissions, from lightweight carbon composite construction to the engines running on 100% sustainable fuel. Partners like Prometheus Fuels will supply ultra-clean hydrogen-based fuel meeting Boom‘s net-zero carbon goals.
Boom will spend 2023 focused on ramping up development as it begins work on its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. The Overture Superfactory in North Carolina represents a $500+ investment and is slated to open by 2025, coinciding with the unveiling of the first Overture prototype.
Provided test flights go smoothly, Boom intends to receive safety certifications by 2029 and usher in the Overture for passenger service by 2030. It‘s an extremely ambitious timeline, but one supported by strategic alliances with key industry partners.
Charting Supersonic‘s Comeback Course
Reviving supersonic travel is too monumental a task for any single company, so Boom has teamed with leading names in aerospace engineering and commercial aviation:
United Airlines – In 2021, United placed an order for 15 Overture jets (plus 35 options) which will shuttle passengers to destinations across the Atlantic in half the time. Executives say it will revolutionize business travel.
American Airlines – The US carrier signed on for 20 Overtures in 2022. The agreement focuses on sustainability requirements while assessing viable supersonic routes.
Japan Airlines (JAL) – Historic 2017 deal where JAL invested $10 million into Boom, paving the way for an order of 20 jets. JAL held options for the Concorde and brings invaluable expertise.
Northrop Grumman/Rolls Royce – Aerospace giants assisting in areas like thermal management, electrification, avionics and engine systems integration.
Prometheus Fuels – Supplying ultra-clean hydrogen-based fuel created using air and renewable power for net-zero emissions.
Boom will undoubtedly rely on support from additional world-class partners as it works towards a 2030 passenger debut. Software giants like Microsoft helping develop cutting-edge avionics, as example, would not surprise me.
The Promise & Challenges of Mainstream Supersonic Travel
There‘s no question mainstream supersonic flight could profoundly impact global connectivity and economies. As a tech analyst, I‘m incredibly bullish on the market viability of 2-3 hour transatlantic flights.
Boom‘s order book of 130+ units proves airlines recognize the enormous demand among business travelers, willing to pay a premium to eliminate multi-hour flights. JAL‘s small luxury cruise ship concept shows carriers exploring new on-board monetization models, while premium routings like New York to London prime the revenue pump.
However, Boom still faces issues that hampered previous eras, notably restrictions around supersonic flight over land. Sonic booms exceeding 100 decibels tend to make the FAA and residents rather unhappy. Clearing regulatory hurtles will require intensive lobbying and innovation to mitigate noise. Boom knows advanced aerodynamic shaping can help divert shockwaves, but design trade-offs to dampen sonic profiles often run counter to performance attributes.
As an aviation expert, I believe Boom‘s commitment to research agreements with NASA bodes well for surmounting complex multi-disciplinary puzzles impeding efficient supersonic flight. Combined with an exceptional leadership team and blue-chip strategic alliances, Boom appears well-positioned to deliver on their headline-grabbing vision of 3 hour+ transoceanic flights. The entire industry is rooting for their success, so 2030 cannot come soon enough!
