Boom Supersonic is a Colorado-based startup that's leading the development of supersonic aircraft to usher in a new era of commercial air travel.
Boom Supersonic
Its newest partner is United Airlines, which is on track to become the first US airline to fly supersonic jet aircraft thanks to an order for 15 of Boom's flagship aircraft, Overture.
A rendering of a Boom Overture aircraft in United Airlines colors.
Boom hopes to get travelers flying greater than the speed of sound by 2030, less than 30 years since the iconic Concorde's retirement from the skies in 2003.
Overture is a Concorde-like plane that plans to fly at Mach 1.7, greater than the speed of sound.
Boom Supersonic
Up to 88 passengers will fly in Overture in a 1-1 all-business class configuration.
Boom Supersonic
Overture aims to also fly above traditional aircraft at a cruising altitude of 60,000 feet. No current commercial aircraft can currently access that height.
Boom Supersonic
The New York-London route is a prime candidate for the aircraft with United touting a three-hour and 30-minute journey time from its hub at Newark Liberty International Airport to the UK capital. Newark-Los Angeles would be slightly shorter if overland flights are permitted.
A rendering of a Boom Overture aircraft in United Airlines colors.
Boom Supersonic
Other potential routes include Newark-Frankfurt, Germany at just four hours…
A rendering of a Boom Overture aircraft in United Airlines colors.
Boom Supersonic
And San Francisco-Tokyo, Japan at six hours. Overture's range, however, would have to be extended to make this route work without stopping for fuel.
A rendering of a Boom Overture aircraft in United Airlines colors.
Boom Supersonic
Overture, in its service for United, will be net-zero carbon and be powered by sustainable aviation fuel.
A rendering of a Boom Overture aircraft in United Airlines colors.
Boom Supersonic
United's sustainability efforts include a plan to become "100% green by 2050 by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions 100%."
United Airlines' "Eco-Skies" Boeing 737.
Greg K__ca/Shutterstock.com
But making Overture mainstream would require an expansion of a sustainable aviation fuel infrastructure as the biofuels are currently limited to certain airports.
Sustainable aviation fuel powering an Air France aircraft.
ERIC PIERMONT:AFP/Getty
A total of 15 aircraft to be purchased were outlined in the agreement with options for 35 more if United desires. A single model costs $200 million, making the deal worth $3 billion.
A rendering of a Boom Overture aircraft in United Airlines colors.
The deal is not yet set in stone. Boom will have to meet "United's demanding safety, operating and sustainability requirements."
Boom Supersonic
Overture is expected to debut in 2025 with its first flight planned for 2026.
Boom Supersonic
The first passengers are expected to fly on Overture in 2029, truly marking the beginning of a new era for supersonic travel.
Boom Supersonic
The development of the Overture is currently in the prototype phase. Boom rolled out the XB-1 in October with plans to fly the aircraft from a base in Mojave, California later in 2021.
United isn't the only airline interested in Overture, however. Japan Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airways are both investors in Boom with pre-orders for the aircraft.
Boom Supersonic
Boom's aircraft may also fly the American president as the US Air Force is interested in using Overture as a future "Air Force One."
United's regional airline partner Mesa Airlines will operate the aircraft intended to shuttle passengers to and from major airports in congested cities, like Los Angeles.
Archer Aviation
"Our mission has always been about connecting people and now working with Boom, we'll be able to do that on an even greater scale," Scott Kirby, United's chief executive officer, said in a statement.
A rendering of a Boom Overture aircraft in United Airlines colors.
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