Key facts
- The FAA has proposed a rule allowing supersonic aircraft to fly over U.S. cities if their sonic booms are not audible on the ground.
- Congress is considering the Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act, which passed the House and aims to permit overland supersonic flights.
- NASA's X-59 Quesst experimental aircraft is designed to minimize sonic booms to a 'sonic thump' level.
- Boom Supersonic is developing the Overture supersonic airliner, with potential customer deliveries by 2029.
- Boom Supersonic is also diversifying into producing natural gas turbines for AI data centers.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a new regulation that would permit supersonic aircraft to fly over U.S. cities, provided their sonic booms are sufficiently quiet to not be heard on the ground. This move comes as Congress also advances legislation aimed at enabling overland supersonic flights.
Lawmakers are working on the Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act, which has already passed the House of Representatives and is awaiting a Senate vote. This bill mandates that the FAA allow supersonic flights as long as no sonic boom reaches the ground.
NASA is concurrently testing its experimental X-59 Quesst aircraft, designed with a needle nose to reduce sonic booms to a mere 'sonic thump.' The agency aims for these thumps to be around 75 PldB, comparable to a car door slamming at close range. Future flight tests over U.S. communities are intended to gather public feedback, which could influence regulatory decisions by aviation authorities.
The FAA has until mid-2027 to finalize its proposed noise regulations for overland supersonic flights and plans to introduce separate standards for takeoff and landing noise later this year.
While quieter supersonic flight may become legal, its commercial viability remains uncertain. The Concorde, though significantly faster than conventional airliners, struggled with high fuel consumption and development costs. Boom Supersonic is developing the Overture, with initial deliveries targeted for 2029 and commercial agreements with major airlines. However, Boom has also ventured into producing natural gas turbines for AI data centers, a move that CEO Blake Scholl suggests will help fund Overture's development. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has expressed a 50/50 outlook on Boom's success in launching its supersonic airliner.