American Airlines and Boom Supersonic signed an agreement to purchase up to 20 Overture aircraft, with an option for an additional 40. American has paid a non-refundable deposit on the initial 20 aircraft.
Boom Supersonic’s Overture is expected to carry passengers at twice the speed of today’s fastest commercial aircraft. Overture boasts a new hull and wing designed to reduce the infamous sonic boom to an acceptable thud. It is being designed to carry 65 to 80 passengers at Mach 1.7 over water and just under Mach 1 over land, with a range of 4,250 nautical miles. The aircraft will have a cruising altitude of 60,000 feet and will be capable of running on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Optimized for speed, safety, and sustainability, Overture is also being designed to fly more than 600 routes around the world in as little as half the time. The company says, flying from Miami to London in just under five hours and Los Angeles to Honolulu in three hours are among the many possibilities.
The new Overture would introduce an important new speed advantage to American’s fleet, which is currently the simplest, youngest, and most efficient among U.S. network carriers. Under the terms of the agreement, Boom must meet industry-standard operating, performance, and safety requirements as well as American’s other customary conditions before delivery of any Overtures.
In July, Boom revealed the final production design of Overture, which is slated to roll out in 2025, followed by its maiden flight in 2026. Boom expects its jets to carry their first passengers in 2029.
“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.”
