Boom Supersonic's Overture Targets Mach 1.7 Cruise and Quiet Overland Flights

Boom Supersonic is advancing its Overture aircraft, emphasizing its design for Mach 1.7 speed, quiet overland flight capabilities, and a refined passenger experience. The company recently highlighted these core tenets, stating, > "Overture is being engineered to go twice as fast, fly overland quietly, and deliver the kind of experience today’s travelers expect." This ambitious project aims to reintroduce commercial supersonic travel by the end of the decade.

The Overture is designed to cruise at Mach 1.7, approximately twice the speed of conventional airliners, significantly reducing travel times on long-haul routes. Powering this speed will be the custom-designed Symphony engine, a medium-bypass turbofan developed in partnership with Florida Turbine Technologies, StandardAero, and GE Additive. This engine, optimized for supersonic flight, is expected to have its first full-scale core operational within 18 months, with assembly planned for San Antonio, Texas.

A key innovation for the Overture is its ability to "fly overland quietly," addressing a major limitation of past supersonic aircraft. Boom is leveraging technologies like "Mach cutoff," where atmospheric conditions cause sonic shockwaves to reflect upwards, preventing them from reaching the ground. This capability is particularly relevant following the United States' June 2025 executive order reversing its 50-year ban on supersonic flights over land, a significant regulatory hurdle for the industry.

Beyond speed, Boom Supersonic is focusing on a "human-centered" cabin design to enhance the traveler experience. The Overture's interior, accommodating 68 to 80 passengers, will feature generous personal space, large windows, and in-seat touchscreens for entertainment and productivity. The single-aisle configuration ensures every passenger has either a window or aisle seat, complemented by contactless technology and personalized in-flight service.

Significant progress has been made on the Overture program, including the successful first supersonic flight of the XB-1 demonstrator aircraft in January 2025, reaching Mach 1.122. Additionally, the Overture Superfactory in Greensboro, North Carolina, completed construction in June 2024, preparing for an initial production capacity of 33 aircraft annually. The aircraft has already secured 130 orders and pre-orders from major carriers such as American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines.

Boom Supersonic projects the Overture will roll out in 2025, conduct its first flight in 2026, and enter commercial service by 2029. The company envisions the Overture operating on over 600 routes worldwide, making global travel dramatically more accessible and efficient while running on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).