Will United Airlines Bring Back Supersonic Travel with Boom Overture?

ByUjjwal Sukhwani•January 20, 2026 at 06:36 AM•3 min read

AIRLINES

United Airlines commits to 15 Boom Supersonic Overture jets, with options for 35 more, targeting a return to supersonic passenger flights by 2029.

Key Points

1United Airlines placed a firm order for 15 Boom Supersonic Overture aircraft, with options for 35 more, totaling up to 50 jets.
2The Overture is designed to fly at Mach 1.7 and is optimized to run on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
3Boom Supersonic targets a 2029 entry into passenger service, pending successful certification and meeting United's operational requirements.
4The aircraft is expected to cut travel times on key routes, such as Newark to London, to approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes.

United Airlines has announced a major agreement to purchase the Boom Supersonic Overture aircraft. This move signals a strong commitment to reintroduce supersonic air travel for commercial passengers. The deal includes a firm Overture aircraft firm order for 15 jets. It also includes options for United to purchase an additional 35 aircraft.

This landmark purchase makes United Airlines the first major U.S. carrier to formally commit to the new supersonic airliner. The agreement is contingent upon the Overture meeting United’s demanding safety, operating, and sustainability requirements.

The Overture Order and Timeline

Boom Supersonic, the Denver-based manufacturer, is developing the Overture to fly at a speed of Mach 1.7 over water. This speed is approximately twice that of today’s conventional subsonic airliners.

Key Details

Delivery Target: Boom aims for the Overture to be ready for passengers by the end of 2029.
Capacity: The aircraft is designed to carry 60 to 80 passengers.
Range: It will offer a maximum range of 4,250 nautical miles.
Routes: Potential routes could cut the New York/Newark to London flight time to about 3 hours and 40 minutes. The Overture aims to serve over 600 profitable global routes.

Technology and Sustainability Focus

Boom Supersonic is positioning the Overture as a sustainable successor to the Concorde. The aircraft is optimized to operate on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This focus on SAF is a key component of the deal with United Airlines.

The Overture will be powered by four purpose-built Boom Symphony engine turbofans. These engines are designed to achieve supersonic speeds without the use of afterburners. This design choice is intended to meet modern noise and environmental standards, including those set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Challenges and Industry Outlook

Bringing a new supersonic jet to market presents significant hurdles. The program is currently in the development and pre-production phase. Boom’s XB-1 demonstrator jet completed its first supersonic flight in early 2025, validating key technologies.

Regulatory approval remains a major factor for the next-generation supersonic jet. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) currently prohibits civil supersonic flight over land in the United States due to the sonic boom. While Boom is working on technology to mitigate the sonic boom, initial operations will likely focus on transoceanic routes.

Industry analysts note that the financial and certification challenges for a clean-sheet aircraft design are substantial. However, the commitment from a major carrier like United Airlines provides strong validation. This order signals a potential shift in the market toward ultra-fast premium air travel. It suggests airlines believe there is a strong demand for drastically reduced transatlantic flight times among business and high-end leisure travelers.

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