United Airlines will purchase 15 of Boom’s ‘Overture’ airliners, once Overture meets the company’s demanding safety, operating, and sustainability requirements, with an option for an additional 35 aircraft.
United Airlines announced on Jun. 3, 2021, a commercial agreement with Denver-based aerospace company Boom Supersonic under which United will purchase 15 of Boom’s ‘Overture’ airliners, once Overture meets United’s demanding safety, operating, and sustainability requirements, with an option for an additional 35 aircraft. According to the Boom Supersonic news release, the companies will work together on meeting those requirements before delivery.
Once operational, Overture is expected to be the first large commercial aircraft to be net-zero carbon from day one, optimized to run on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). It is slated to roll out in 2025, fly in 2026, and is expected to carry passengers by 2029. United and Boom will also work together to accelerate the production of greater supplies of SAF.
“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 travelers 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.”
Capable of flying at speeds of Mach 1.7 – twice the speed of today’s fastest airliners – Overture can connect more than 500 destinations in nearly half the time. Among the many future potential routes for United are Newark to London in just three and a half hours, Newark to Frankfurt in four hours, and San Francisco to Tokyo in just six hours. Overture will also be designed with features such as in-seat entertainment screens, ample personal space, and contactless technology. Working with Boom is another component of United’s strategy to invest in innovative technologies that will build a more sustainable future of air travel. “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 a life lived in person, from deeper, more productive business relationships to longer, more relaxing vacations to far-off destinations.”
Currently Boom Supersonic is developing the XB-1, history’s first independently developed supersonic jet and Overture’s supersonic demonstrator.
The XB-1 is set to complete its ongoing, extensive ground test program before heading to Mojave, California in 2021 for a flight test. At the same time, the company will finalize Overture’s propulsion system and conduct wind tunnel tests to validate aircraft design. When XB-1 breaks the sound barrier in flight, Boom will be finalizing the design of Overture.
Overture will bring back supersonic air travel that came to an end after the retirement of the legendary Concorde in 2003.
Photo by Boom Supersonic