Boom Supersonic Achieves Historic Boomless Supersonic Flight
The dream of supersonic passenger travel has taken a major step forward. On January 28, 2025, Boom Supersonic successfully flew its experimental XB-1 aircraft beyond Mach 1 without generating a detectable sonic boom at ground level. This achievement, announced on February 10, 2025, could pave the way for a new era of high-speed commercial air travel without the disruptive noise that has long hindered supersonic flight over land.
For decades, loud sonic booms have been a major challenge for supersonic aircraft, limiting their use primarily to overwater routes. Traditional supersonic jets, including the Concorde, were banned from flying at high speeds over populated areas because of the deafening noise created when they broke the sound barrier. Boom Supersonic’s breakthrough lies in its use of Mach cutoff, a phenomenon where atmospheric conditions deflect sonic waves away from the ground. By optimizing altitude and speed, the XB-1 demonstrated the feasibility of cruising at supersonic speeds without disturbing those below.
Blake Scholl, CEO of Boom Supersonic, called this achievement a historic breakthrough. “We’ve proven that boomless cruise is possible in real-world conditions,” he said. This development is crucial as the company prepares to launch its full-scale commercial airliner, Overture, which could drastically cut travel times for passengers worldwide.
The XB-1, a small, single-pilot aircraft powered by three engines, marks a significant step forward for private supersonic aviation. Unlike previous attempts at quiet supersonic travel, the XB-1 successfully maintained speeds above Mach 1 without generating audible booms in multiple test flights. This success lays the groundwork for the Overture, which Boom plans to fly at Mach 1.1 to 1.2 over land and up to Mach 1.7 over water, reducing transatlantic flight times by half. A journey from New York to London could take just 3.5 hours, while flights from New York to Los Angeles could be shortened by 90 minutes.
In addition to aircraft design, Boom is developing an advanced propulsion system known as the Symphony engine. This next-generation turbojet will power the Overture, ensuring efficient and sustainable supersonic flight. If Boom’s vision is realized, travelers could soon experience a new standard of air travel where speed does not come at the expense of noise pollution.
However, technological success alone is not enough. Current aviation regulations continue to restrict civilian supersonic travel over land due to concerns about noise. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has maintained strict rules against supersonic flight over populated areas, which have been in place for decades. Industry experts, including Eli Dourado of the Abundance Institute, argue that these regulations should be reconsidered in light of recent advancements. With pressure mounting for policymakers to adapt to new technology, Boom’s historic flight could serve as a catalyst for regulatory change.
Unlike past supersonic ventures that faced financial struggles, Boom Supersonic is already positioned for success, securing major airline partnerships. United Airlines has placed an order for 15 Overture aircraft, while American Airlines has committed to purchasing 20. These agreements signal growing enthusiasm for a return to supersonic passenger travel, provided Boom can meet its ambitious development timeline.
Looking ahead, Boom Supersonic has outlined a clear roadmap. The final design for the Overture and Symphony engine is set for completion in March 2025. Manufacturing is expected to begin within 18 months, followed by the rollout of the first full-scale prototype in approximately three years. If all goes according to plan, commercial service could launch as early as 2029.
The successful XB-1 flight marks an important milestone in aviation history, proving that supersonic travel can be both fast and quiet. If Boom Supersonic can successfully navigate regulatory challenges and deliver on its promises, the world could soon enter a new golden age of air travel. Passengers may one day cross continents in mere hours, without the disruptive booms that once made such flights impractical.
As CEO Blake Scholl jokingly remarked, “We might need to change our name to Shhh Supersonic now.” While his comment was made in jest, the message is clear: supersonic travel is making a comeback, and this time, it will be quieter than ever.
