United Airlines announces deal with Boom Supersonic for faster-than-sound commercial flights
United Airlines said on Thursday that it had signed a deal with Boom Supersonic, a startup working to develop the first supersonic commercial jet since the Concorde, to purchase up to 50 of the company's planned passenger jet.
Under the deal, United would purchase 15 of Boom's Overture jet, which the startup plans to enter into commercial service in 2029, with the option for up to 35 more.
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The Concorde was retired in 2003 after it proved to be economically unsustainable for airlines, in a market that had for decades been focused on lowering costs and improving operating efficiency, rather than speed.
Boom, however, has insisted that it can make supersonic flight practical for the current airline market and more affordable for passengers.
Boom and United said on Thursday that United's future supersonic fleet would be considered net-zero carbon, and would fly entirely on sustainable aviation fuel (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," United CEO Scott Kirby said in a statement. "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."
Boom, which introduced a conceptual single-seat tester aircraft in 2020, said it plans to introduce the prototype Overture aircraft, an 88-seat commercial airliner, in 2025, with the jet making its first flight the following year, before entering service in 2029.
While Boom CEO Blake Scholl has insisted that modern design tools and technology can help Boom overcome many of the challenges faced by the Concorde, the plane will still create a sonic boom when traveling at faster-than-sound speeds, limiting its use to over-ocean routes.
Still, the startup previously told this reporter during an interview that it had identified 500 different routes on which supersonic travel was viable, and said that its lower costs would translate to less-expensive fares, making the plane more viable than the Concorde was.
"The primary limitation on Concorde was economic. Because of the plane's fuel inefficiency, tickets were $20,000 a pop," Scholl said in October. "And you just can't fill 100 seats at $20,000. It made some money from here to London, but you can't build a business around that."
Fares are expected to be similar to today's business-class fares, Scholl said at the time, although the limited number of seats on the plane, combined with the high relative cost of SAF, make that optimistic.
Of course, airlines could also choose to charge more if the market exists, and may in fact need to — reducing weight will be a key to achieving efficiency, meaning it's unlikely that supersonic planes would earn additional revenue from carrying cargo, like many commercial flights today.
While United's agreement with Boom lends considerable legitimacy to the startup's plans, it's ultimately a low-risk investment for the airline.
"This is an order, but to call it a firm order is inaccurate," Mike Leskinen, United's head of corporate development, told The Air Current. "They have to deliver. And we've got a number of years to deliver on that," he added, citing financial protections built into the agreement.
Despite plans for the aircraft to be carbon net-zero, critics have cited the potential environmental impact of supersonic flight development. A report from NASA earlier this year cited numerous environmental hazards of faster-than-sound commercial travel, although the paper did not examine specific designs such as Boom's.
Although United will be the launch customer for the Overture, if and when the plane is certified by the FAA, it is not the first airline to link with the startup. Japan Airlines invested $10 million in 2018. The company was awarded a contract with the U.S. Air Force in 2020 to develop an executive jet for government officials — potentially including an Air Force One.
Notably, numerous airlines placed orders for the Concorde in the 1970s, including American Airlines, TWA, Continental and United, before eventually canceling.
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.