THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL: Supersonic Travel is Back Baby!
I frequently ponder why public aviation aircraft haven’t advanced in speed. When considering other modes of transportation, Japan offers the Bullet Train, we have faster cruise ships, which are more luxurious than before. We now have more hypercar brands than ever before in the automobile industry, so why is it that flying, at least commercially, has not changed? Not that there haven’t been improvements—our planes are getting safer and a little bit greener—but I really wish they were faster.
You might be asking yourself at this juncture, “What about the Concorde, a supersonic jet?” You are correct that at the time it was a marvel; but I believe it was much ahead of its time, and believe that it would have survived had it used today’s technology. Keep in mind that the Concorde operated more than twenty years ago, when crossing continents was still regarded as a lavish thing to do. Had Concorde been in development in today’s society with access to greener materials, the advancement of technology, and the focus of a generation on eco-projects, it would have been a key player.
As I consider the question, “Why don’t we have a supersonic airliner?” With how much the technology world has grown, you can’t help but wonder. What is stopping builders and designers? As it turns out, I have stumbled upon a company that may offer the answer. Let me introduce you to Boom Supersonic, a corporation that is on a quest to bring back supersonic flights to those who love to fly.
This American company’s supersonic jet called, Overture, is stunning, it really its. It is what I would call, a timeless design, with its large sweeping gull wings; Overture certainly grabs your attention. With a range of 4,250 nautical miles, Overture is planned to have a capacity of 65 to 80 passengers and travel at a top speed of Mach 1.7 over water. This is twice as fast as the current fastest commercial aircraft. Overture is being developed to fly more than 600 routes across the world in as low as half the time while also being optimised for speed, safety, and sustainability. Boom Supersonic has said that it is committed to achieving net zero carbon in Overture’s design, build, flight, and end-of-life recycling by reducing emissions and using renewables to power manufacturing. To achieve this, they have partnered up with organisations like Commercial Aviation
Alternative Fuels Initiative, Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association, and Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials to name a few.
How will Overture go green or achieve carbon neutrality is the crucial question. It turns out that they also have that covered. Air Company will supply up to 5 million gallons of AirmadeTM SAF yearly in order to fuel the Overture flight test programme and help Boom meet its commitment to a net zero carbon footprint. Overture is expected to use AirmadeTM SAF from Air Company for its net zero carbon flight test programme at the Overture Superfactory in Greensboro, North Carolina. A analogous patented technology that mimics photosynthesis is used by Air Company to design and implement its single-step approach for CO2-derived fuel generation using renewable electricity in order to produce its consumer ethanol.
“Sustainable aviation fuel is critical to sustainable supersonic travel, and fuel made from CO2 is the most scalable pathway to abundant SAF,” said Kathy Savitt, President of Boom Supersonic.
“Air Company and Boom Supersonic are two companies making real strides towards a markedly different world of aviation,” said Air Company Ceo, Gregory Constantine. “Working with Boom Supersonic to offer the first commercially available power-to-liquid SAF has been an incredible marriage of two forward-thinking companies, ready to improve the world in which we live and fly. We look forward to a long partnership and are excited to share more innovation as the relationship continues.”
What about potential flight times? Well, once Overture is fully operating, you will be able to fly from London to New York in less than four hours; Paris to Montreal in less than four hours, and Los Angeles to Seoul in less than seven hours. That’s what I’m talking about! This means that for those of us who work in various time zones (like myself), flights under four hours would technically be day trips, leaving in the morning and returning later in the evening. And individuals with a large family who live in different regions of the world will no longer be able to use the excuse that “it just takes too long.”
How have the airliners reacted? Great question and it is good news; Overture is already taking non-refundable deposits, and one of the largest airlines, Amercian Airlines have committed and paid for twenty aircrafts. Japan Airlines has also placed orders as well as the US Airforce, including United Airlines, who will purchase 15 of Boom’s ‘Overture’ airliners, once Overture meets United’s demanding safety, operating, and sustainability requirements, with an option for 35 more aircraft.
“United continues on its trajectory to build a more innovative, sustainable airline and today’s advancements in technology are making it more viable for that to include supersonic planes. Boom’s vision for the future of commercial aviation, combined with the industry’s most robust route network in the world, will give business and leisure travelers access to a stellar flight experience. 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.” Commented Scott Kirby Chief Executive Officer of United Airlines.
“Looking to the future, supersonic travel will be an important part of our ability to deliver for our customers,” said Derek Kerr, American’s Chief Financial Officer. “We are excited about how Boom will shape the future of travel both for our company and our customers.”
“We are proud to share our vision of a more connected and sustainable world with American Airlines,” said Blake Scholl, Founder and CEO of Boom. “We believe Overture can help American deepen its competitive advantage on network, loyalty and overall airline preference through the paradigm-changing benefits of cutting travel times in half.”
Overture is scheduled to make its first flight in 2026, which is only four years away. With the number of great relationships and innovations that Boom Supersonic is forming, I have no doubt that when Overture takes its maiden flight, the timing will be perfect and will forever revolutionise the way we fly. It only takes one company to take the risk, and when Boom Supersonic does, the others will follow.