United will be the first U.S. airline to sign a commercial agreement with Boom Supersonic, in a move that will see new aircraft cutting travel times in half and operating on up to 100% sustainable aviation fuel. And all by 2029.
Say hello to the sustainable and super sleek aircraft of the future.
United Airlines has announced a commercial agreement with Denver-based aerospace company Boom Supersonic to add aircraft to its global fleet as well as a cooperative sustainability initiative – a move that facilitates a leap forward in returning supersonic speeds to aviation.
Under the terms of the agreement, 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.
The companies say they 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, optimised to run on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
The most exciting bit? It is slated to roll out in 2025, fly in 2026 and expected to carry passengers by 2029.
“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.”
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Capable of flying at speeds of Mach 1.7 – twice the speed of today’s fastest airliners – Boom Supersonic says that Overture can fly at a cruising altitude of 60,000ft and 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
- San Francisco to Tokyo in just six hours.
Boom Supersonic says that Overture will also be designed with features such as in-seat entertainment screens, ample personal space, and contactless technology.
United says working with Boom is another component of its 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 life lived in person, from deeper, more productive business relationships to longer, more relaxing vacations to far-off destinations.”