American Airlines reached an agreement with Boom Supersonic to buy up to 20 supersonic jets on Tuesday, making it the second major U.S. airline to bet on superfast air travel in the past two years.
The deal expands Boom’s order book, which now has orders for 130 aircraft, including options, worth about $26 billion, Boom Supersonic CEO Blake Scholl said in an interview.
American Airlines also has the option to buy additional jets, each of which can carry between 65 and 80 passengers, according to Reuters.
It is noted that the four-engine Overture aircraft can fly from Miami to London in less than five hours, cutting the nearly nine-hour flight time between the two destinations by about half.
Overture, designed to run entirely on sustainable aviation fuel or a blend, will roll out of Boom’s plant in Greensboro, North Carolina in 2025, with test flights to follow in 2026.
American Airlines spokesman Matt Miller said it was too early to discuss ticket prices, given that the plane is not expected to begin flying until 2029.
Airline interest in supersonic aircraft appears to be reviving nearly two decades after the Concorde, used by Air France and British Airways, was retired in the wake of a fatal crash and high fuel and aircraft maintenance costs.
Last year, United Airlines Holdings agreed to buy 15 Boom Overture aircraft, provided they meet certain safety, operational and sustainability requirements. A similar clause is also included in the American Airlines agreement.
Source: Capital
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