Boom Supersonic Jets With Lie-Flat Seats to Debut by 2023
At the Paris Air Show today, Boom Supersonic unveiled the complete, refined design of its XB-1 Supersonic Demonstrator, which is set to begin flying next year. Plus, Boom added that the aircraft is going to offer customers a first-class product with lie-flat seats. And with the model in place, the prospect of supersonic travel with Boom is now even closer to a reality, as the company announced that it's received 76 orders from five airlines.
Earlier this year, the company secured $33 million to go toward building its prototype. And at the Paris Air Show, Boom released photos of what it'll look like — both its exterior and interior. Perhaps the biggest news from the Paris Air Show is that the XB-1 will feature a first-class product with full, lie-flat seats.
Inside the jet will also be business-class seats, which aren't lie-flat. When TPG contributor Jason Steele visited Boom, he found that the business-class product will be similar to what passengers can find in domestic first-class cabins.
Airlines will have the option of ordering one of two configurations: 45 seats in a two-class configuration (30 first-class seats and 15 business-class seats) or 55 seats in a one-class configuration (all business class). The jet will cost customers $200 million.
The XB-1 design has been optimized since the design was originally unveiled last year. The updated design meets performance and safety standards, including a third inlet located in the tail. The new design also provides greater propulsion stability.
As of now, Virgin is the only known customer, and the other four will be announced at special events. Note that the unveiling today was for the Demonstrator aircraft, not the passenger jet. On board the passenger jet, travelers can expect two crew, up to four flight attendants and two lavatories.
According to a press release, the first flight of the XB-1 Demonstrator will take place in 2018, and subsonic flight testing will be conducted near Denver. Supersonic Boom test flights will take place near Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California. Boom expects the passenger jet to take to the skies and begin operations by 2023.
This is exciting news for travelers, as Boom will get you to your destination far quicker without a steep price premium. A round-trip business-class ticket from London to New York is estimated at $5,000 — pretty competitive by today's standards. As for flight time, Boom says the XB-1 will be able to fly between the two cities in three hours and 15 minutes — less than half the typical flight time for the aircraft we have today. It'll be interesting in the coming weeks or months to see who Boom's other customers are.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees