The U.S. mega-carrier United wants to go faster than any other airline, all on 100% sustainable aviation fuel! The airline confirmed on Thursday it had entered a commercial agreement with Denver-based aerospace company Boom Supersonic to add aircraft to its global fleet as well as a cooperative sustainability initiative – a move that facilitates a leap forward in returning supersonic speeds to aviation.
United has agreed to buy 15 of Boom's 'Overture' aircraft, with an option for an additional 35 models to ensure the airline speeds ahead of its rivals. These new jets are promised to be capable of flying at speeds of Mach 1.7 – which is about twice the speed of today's fastest commercial airliners. Overture will be able to connect more than 500 destinations in nearly half the time.
Among the many future potential routes for United would be Newark to London in just three and a half hours, or Newark to Frankfurt in four hours. You might also be able to head from San Francisco to Tokyo in just six hours.
Boom says its Overture aircraft will also be designed with features such as in-seat entertainment screens, ample personal space, and contactless technology. Thus ensuring our passenger creature comforts are not lost to the need for speed.
This new supersonic jet transporter is expected to roll out in 2025, be in the air from 2026 and then enter passenger service by 2029. Many industry commentators have been sceptical of such advanced deadlines, expecting the jet to only taking passengers nearing the end of 2033 if not the year after.
"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 travellers access to a stellar flight experience," United CEO Scott Kirby said. "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."
"The world's first purchase agreement for net-zero carbon supersonic aircraft marks a significant step toward our mission to create a more accessible world," said Blake Scholl, Boom Supersonic founder and CEO. "United and Boom share a common purpose—to unite the world safely and sustainably. At speeds twice as fast, United passengers will experience all the advantages of life lived in person, from deeper, more productive business relationships to longer, more relaxing vacations to far-off destinations."
"It will be great to see supersonic passenger aircraft once again take to the skies." commented Jason Shaw. "It really is about time today's technology caught up with the technology of the sixties and seventies that gave us the Concorde - the last commercial supersponic aircraft.". Our Editor in Cheif is also one of those that remains unconvinced of Boom's Overture timelines. "Whilst I think the aircraft will come out of the factory in 2026, I have severe doubts the jet will be able to operate successful supersonic test flights on a regular basis in 2026 - at least not on the SAF it promises to use. I'd wager, it will get its airworthiness approvals in 2031 and in 2032 United will do the first passenger flights."
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