United Airlines Signs Deal for 15 Supersonic Aircraft

United Airlines has signed a commercial agreement with Boom Supersonic to add aircraft to its global fleet and cooperate on a sustainability initiative.

Under the terms of the agreement, United will purchase 15 of Boom's 'Overture' airliners, once Overture meets United's safety, operating and sustainability requirements, with an option for an additional 35 aircraft.

Overture is being designed as the first large commercial aircraft to be net-zero carbon from day one, optimized to run on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The current plan is for Overture to roll out in 2025, fly in 2026 and 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," said United CEO, Scott Kirby. "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."

Flying at speeds of Mach 1.7, twice the speed of today's fastest airliners, would make it possible for United to fly passengers to more than 500 destinations in nearly half the time.

Newark to London would take just three and a half hours, Newark to Frankfurt would take four hours and San Francisco to Tokyo would be just a six-hour flight.

"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."

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