Boom Supersonic Overture passenger jets are expected to carry people at twice the speed of ordinary passenger aircraft, and American Airlines has pledged to purchase 20 of them.
The largest airline in the world, American Airlines, paid Boom Supersonic, a Denver-based aerospace manufacturer, a nonrefundable deposit for 20 Overture aircraft in the amount of an undisclosed sum. Up to Mach 1.7, or approximately 1,227 mph, is the top speed limit for the Overture (1,975 kph).
According to Boom Supersonic, the jets could travel between 65 and 80 passengers from Paris to Montreal in just 3 hours and 45 minutes at a speed of Mach 1 and have a range of more than 4,890 miles (7,870 kilometers). Mach 1 represents the speed of sound.
According to the terms of the agreement between American Airlines and Boom Supersonic, before any aircraft is delivered, the supersonic jet maker must demonstrate that the Overture complies with all industry-mandated safety, operation, and performance standards. The airline has the option to purchase 40 more aircraft in the future.
The Boom Supersonic Overture passenger aircraft has a tapered fuselage with a diameter that is greater upfront than it is at the back. The manufacturer asserts that this design enhances fuel efficiency while reducing drag on the aircraft. The Overture can travel at top speeds of nearly Mach 1.7 over water and just under Mach 1 over land thanks to four jet engines mounted beneath the wings. The Federal Aviation Administration currently forbids flights over land at speeds greater than Mach 1 in order to lessen the noise produced by sonic booms.
"We are proud to share our vision of a more connected and sustainable world with American Airlines," Boom CEO and founder Blake Scholl said in a statement. "We believe Overture can help American deepen its competitive advantage on network, loyalty, and overall airline preference through the paradigm-changing benefits of cutting travel times in half."
According to Chief Financial Officer of American Airlines Derek Kerr, the firm is "excited about how Boom will shape the future of travel for both our company and our customers."
The two firms had agreed to a commercial arrangement in 2021 for an initial 15 Overture aircraft with an option to buy a further 35. The current agreement for 20 aircraft (with an option for an additional 40) builds on that agreement. Northrop Grumman and Boom Supersonic also have an agreement for the supply of Overture aircraft types for military and emergency response operations.
