Can NASA and Startups Finally Make Supersonic Commercial Flight Viable?

December 27, 2025 at 12:26 AM•3 min read

Startups like Boom Supersonic and NASA's X-59 QueSST are driving the return of supersonic commercial flight, aiming to overcome sonic boom noise and regulatory hurdles.

Key Points

1NASA's X-59 QueSST completed its first flight in late October 2025, aiming to reduce the sonic boom to a quiet 'sonic thump' of 75 PLdB.
2Boom Supersonic's Overture, a Mach 1.7 airliner, has secured 130 orders and pre-orders from airlines including United Airlines and American Airlines.
3The U.S. lifted its 1973 ban on civilian overland supersonic flight in June 2025, pending new noise-based regulations from the FAA and ICAO.
4Commercial service for the new generation of supersonic aircraft is currently targeted for the 2029-2030 timeframe.

Nearly 20 years after the Concorde made its final flight, the dream of supersonic commercial flight is being aggressively pursued. This new era is led by aerospace startups and crucial government research. Their joint goal is solving the two main problems that grounded the Concorde: excessive noise and high operating costs.

The Quiet Revolution: NASA's X-59 QueSST

NASA is tackling the noise problem head-on with its X-59 QueSST (Quiet SuperSonic Technology) program. This experimental aircraft is designed to drastically reduce the traditional sonic boom. The loud, disruptive sonic boom of the past is replaced by a gentle "sonic thump".

Developed with Lockheed Martin, the X-59 is designed to produce only 75 Perceived Level decibels (PLdB). This is a massive reduction from the Concorde's 105 PLdB boom. The X-59 completed its first flight in late October 2025. It will now conduct community overflights across the United States. This data is essential for setting new, noise-based flight rules.

Startup Innovation: Boom Supersonic Overture

Colorado-based Boom Supersonic is leading the commercial effort. The company is developing the Boom Supersonic Overture airliner. This jet is designed to fly at Mach 1.7, cutting travel times in half on over 600 global routes.

Boom's smaller demonstrator jet, the XB-1, achieved its first supersonic flight in January 2025. The full-scale Overture is targeting its first flight by 2027. Commercial entry into service is currently targeted for 2029 or 2030.

Key Airline Commitments

Boom has secured significant interest from major carriers. The Overture order book stands at 130 aircraft, including orders and pre-orders. Key customers include United Airlines, American Airlines, and Japan Airlines. These early commitments signal strong confidence in the future of supersonic travel.

Regulatory and Environmental Hurdles

The biggest challenge for supersonic commercial flight remains regulatory approval. For decades, the FAA prohibited civil supersonic flight over land due to noise. However, the U.S. ban was officially lifted by an executive order in June 2025. This landmark decision directs the FAA to create new, noise-based standards.

NASA's X-59 data will be delivered to the FAA and the ICAO by 2027. This information is crucial for establishing new global regulations.

Environmental Focus: New supersonic designs are focusing on sustainability. The Overture is optimized to fly using up to 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This is vital for meeting modern environmental standards.
Financial Risk: The high development cost of clean-sheet engines, like Boom's Symphony, presents a financial risk. Delays in certification could push back the service timeline.

This collaborative effort between private industry and government research is essential. It could finally usher in a new era of faster-than-sound travel. For more details on these developments, stay tuned to our commercial aviation news at flying.flights.