American Airlines Group agreed to buy 20 planes from Boom Supersonic, doubling down on the future of an ultra-fast plane that is still years in the future.
Boom has received its second solid order in the last two years. In a Tuesday news release, the airline and Boom Supersonic, the jet’s maker, stated that American agreed “to purchase up to 20 Overture aircraft, with an option for another 40.”
According to the news release, the “Overture” aircraft are “anticipated to carry passengers at twice the speed of today’s fastest commercial aircraft.” Flights from Miami to London typically take about nine hours, while flights from Los Angeles to Honolulu take about six hours. The airline intends to decrease flying times in half.
“Passengers want flights that are faster, more convenient, more sustainable, and that’s what Overture delivers. Flight times can be as little as half as what we have today, and that works great in networks like American, where we can fly Miami to London in less than five hours,” said Boom CEO Blake Scholl.
“Supersonic travel will be an important part of our ability to deliver for our customers,” said American’s chief financial officer, Derek Kerr.
American has paid a nonrefundable deposit on the first 20 planes. The parties did not provide any additional financial information about the deal.
Boom claims their supersonic planes would carry 65 to 80 passengers using ecologically friendly aviation fuel.
Overture is still years away from being a reality. Boom plans to build the jet at a new manufacturing facility in North Carolina, with the first model arriving in 2025 and the first flight in 2026.
Boom expects the Overture to enter commercial service by the decade’s end if flight tests and certification go as planned.