United Airlines has signed a purchase agreement with Denver-based Boom Supersonic for 15 Overture aircraft, with an option for 35 more. The agreement requires that the aircraft first meets the carrier’s demanding safety, operating and sustainability requirements.
On Thursday (June 3, 2021), United Airlines announced the signing of a purchase agreement with Denver-based Boom Supersonic for up to 50 of the company’s future ‘Overture’ supersonic passenger aircraft. The order includes 15 aircraft and an option for 35 more. As part of the agreement, the Overture will have to first meet United’s demanding safety, operating and sustainability requirements prior to acceptance. The aircraft is being designed to reach speeds of Mach 1.7, with the ability to connect over 500 destinations in nearly half the time as today’s fastest airliners. At nearly Mach 2 speeds, United could potentially connect Newark with London in three and a half hours, Frankfurt in four hours, or fly between San Francisco and Tokyo in only six hours. The aircraft is currently slated to roll out in 2025, fly in 2026 and is expected to enter revenue passenger service by 2026.
In Thursday’s announcement, United Airlines’ CEO, Scott Kirby, said,
“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. 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.”
Also commenting on the company's first order from a U.S. airline, Boom Supersonic’s Founder and CEO, Blake Scholl, added,
“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. 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.”
Denver-based Boom Supersonic is designing ‘Overture’ a supersonic commercial passenger aircraft that will be capable of flying on 100 percent sustainable aviation furl (SAF) at twice the speed of today’s passenger jets. The company is also working with the United States Air Force for potential government applications for Overture. Boom’s demonstrator aircraft, the XB-1, rolled out in 2020 and is currently performing its net-zero carbon flight test program. Boom Supersonic is backed by world-class investors including Bessemer Venture Partners, Prime Movers Lab, Emerson Collective and American Express Ventures. To date, the company has received 70 orders and options for Overture.
United Airlines’ shared purpose is “Connecting People. Uniting the World.” Shares in the company’s parent, United Airlines Holdings, Inc., are publicly traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol ‘UAL.’
Source(s): United Airlines, Boom Supersonic