INDUSTRY NEWS

First Supersonic Passenger Jet Makes Debut

January 29th, 2025 – Spending 10+ hours trapped in a plane may be a thing of the past as soon as 2035, with the first supersonic passenger jet making its debut in the USA.

Dubbed the XB-1, this Concorde-style supersonic jet is created by American brand Boom Supersonic. Recently breaking the sound barrier in tests undertaken in th USA, the aircraft was able to achieve speeds of up to 1,200kph – making travel between Australia and destinations such as Singapore, Asia and America possible in just hours.

 

Will Supersonic Flight Be Publicly Available?

While flights on XB-1 are not currently available to the public, Boom hopes to scale up the technology to their Overture supersonic airliner, an airliner specifically designed for passenger flight. Currently able to carry up to 80 passengers, the fancy new Overture is on pre-order by some of the world’s largest airlines, meaning supersonic flight may be available in the not-so-distant future!

Safety will also be one of the key factors in making supersonic flight available to the public – As a large transport aircraft, the Overture will be required to go through the same FAA certification process as any other commercial aircraft flying today.

 

What Will It Look Like Inside?

If you thought existing Business or First Class seating was luxurious, the Overture will take that to the next level. Including just 65-80 seats in the entire aircraft depending on how airlines choose to configure their seats, passengers will be able to enjoy private seating in a 1-1 configuration, charging ports suitable for work onboard, a large TV screen and onboard dining options, as well as a window at each chair to watch the world go by at supersonic speeds. At this stage the Overture won’t be including lie-flat beds – But that’s because travel time will be so short passengers won’t likely require them.

How Much Will These Supersonic Flights Cost?

At this stage, ticket costs on these ritzy new aircraft aren’t available – Primarily because the Overture itself is still in testing and development stage. In saying that, Boom hopes that tickets to fly on this supersonic craft will fall relatively within the range of existing Business and First Class tickets, meaning those who currently choose to fly Business or First Class on long-haul flights will be able to enjoy the same comforts, at the same price, without spending hours trapped in an aircraft. It is important to note that ticket prices will ultimately be guided by the airlines themselves.

 

When Will Flights Become Available?

As the XB-1 is still undergoing extensive testing and the technology hasn’t yet been rolled over to the Overture, flights won’t be available within the next few years – However, several major airlines including American Airlines have already put pre-orders on the aircraft once it becomes available and passes FAA certification, so we could see supersonic flight sooner than we realise!