Those on the side of supersonic believe it could transform the way we travel in a matter of years. If it’s successful, that could mean opening up hundreds of new airline routes to supersonic flight. The jet is due to fly over a handful of residential communities in the US in 2024 in order to gauge on the ground response to the sound data will then be presented to the International Civil Aviation Organisation in a bid to get noise regulations changed. It’s not only private companies getting involved through its Quesst programme, NASA is working on the X-59, a supersonic aircraft designed to make the notorious ‘boom’ quieter in order to avoid the pitfalls of Concorde (which was only allowed to reach supersonic speeds over the ocean). Last year, United Airlines pledged to buy 15 of them, and in 2017, Japan Airlines put in a pre-order for another 20 with an initial investment of $10m.īoom says the jets, expected to be produced in 2025 and flying by 2029, would have capacity for 80 passengers across more than 600 routes, cutting journey times to as little as half of their subsonic equivalents.

In August, American Airlines announced it had placed a pre-order for 20 Overture jets from Boom, with an option to buy 40 more. But recent endeavours by the likes of Boom Supersonic, Spike Aerospace, Exosonic and Hermeus are putting the possibility of supersonic back in the spotlight – and several major airlines are getting in on the game. Deafening sonic booms, prohibitive prices and safety concerns – fuelled by the crash in France in July 2000 – spelt the end for this headline-dominating venture, leaving many to question whether supersonic aircraft would ever take off again. When Concorde was taken out of service in 2003, it looked like the end for three-hour hops between London and New York. Top 5 economic risk factors that must be considered.Top 5 ways that the finance industry can prepare for AI.Top 5 emerging fintech hubs across the globe right now.Top 5 ways that GDPR has impacted digital banking.Top 5 financial services that are ripe for automation.Top 5 ways to boost employee engagement and commitment.Top 5 most influential and inspirational US economists.Top 5 countries to be world’s next manufacturing hubs.Top 5 WFH habits, according to the world’s most successful business leaders.Top 5 sustainability pioneers in Europe.Top 5 forces that will shape international finance in 2023.

Supersonic vs subsonic aircraft