Faster Flights, Cleaner Fuel: A New Era in Aviation?

Two decades after Concorde’s final flight, Boom Supersonic, a Colorado-based aerospace company founded in 2014, is leading the charge to revive high-speed air travel. Their flagship project, the Overture, is designed to cruise at Mach 1.7—cutting transatlantic flight times in half—while operating on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). With major airline orders and a successful supersonic test flight under its belt, Boom is positioning itself to redefine the future of commercial aviation.

XB-1: Breaking the Sound Barrier Again

In January 2025, Boom’s XB-1 demonstrator aircraft became the first independently developed civil jet to break the sound barrier since Concorde. The one-third-scale prototype reached Mach 1.1 during a test flight over California’s Mojave Desert, validating key technologies for the upcoming Overture airliner. Constructed from carbon composites and powered by three General Electric J85-15 engines, the XB-1 serves as a critical step toward bringing supersonic travel back to commercial aviation.

Overture: The Next Generation Supersonic Airliner

Boom’s Overture is designed to carry 65 to 88 passengers at speeds of up to Mach 1.7, with a range of 4,250 nautical miles. The aircraft features a delta wing design and is powered by four Symphony engines, developed in partnership with Florida Turbine Technologies, GE Additive, and StandardAero. These engines are optimized for supersonic flight and are designed to run on 100% SAF, aiming for net-zero carbon emissions.

Boom has already secured 130 orders for the Overture from major airlines, including United Airlines, American Airlines, and Japan Airlines. The company plans to begin test flights in 2026, with commercial service expected by 2029.

Building the Future: The Overture Superfactory

To support production, Boom is constructing the Overture Superfactory in Greensboro, North Carolina. This 400,000-square-foot facility is expected to produce up to 33 aircraft annually, with plans to double that capacity. The project is anticipated to create up to 1,761 jobs by 2030 and generate significant economic impact for the region.