American Airlines is buying up to 20 jets from aircraft maker Boom Supersonic, the company announced Tuesday.
This is the second major U.S. airline to bet on ultra-fast passenger travel in the last two years, after United Airlines agreed to buy 15 Overture jets in 2021.
“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,”, Boom CEO Blake Scholl said to CNBC.
According to the agreement, American has an option to purchase 40 additional Overture jets.
Criticized by environmentalists for burning more fuel than subsonic planes, supersonic jets are still under the spotlight.
Boom says its supersonic planes will fly on sustainable aviation fuel offering lower emissions. The aircraft manufacturer expects to roll out its first model in 2025 from its new plant in North Carolina. The first test flight is planned for 2026.
An American spokesperson said the aircraft isn’t expected to carry its first passengers until 2029.
