The United States is preparing to bring back a technology that disappeared half a century ago. The Federal Aviation Administration plans to replace its 1973 ban on civilian supersonic flights over American land. The proposed change introduces noise-level-based standards instead of outright prohibition. The FAA aims to finalize new rules by mid-2027.
US supersonic flights could operate faster than Mach 1 over the United States as long as aircraft remain within specified sound limits. This change could allow companies such as Boom Supersonic and Spike Aerospace to operate a new generation of quieter passenger jets over land.
Noise-Based Rules
The FAA published notice of the planned change on Tuesday. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said advances in technology could remove the traditional loud sonic boom associated with supersonic flight. He said this would allow the agency to repeal the decades-old ban while limiting noise effects on communities. Therefore, modern engineering solves the historic problem that justified the original ban.
Why The Ban Was Introduced
Public opposition to loud sonic booms was the main reason the FAA restricted civilian supersonic flight over US land. During the 1960s, aircraft traveling faster than the speed of sound created shock waves that reached the ground as loud cracks. Tests conducted during that decade found that repeated booms broke windows and damaged property. So widespread complaints motivated government action.
Concorde Operations
Air France and British Airways introduced Concorde after the ban took effect. They operated flights to New York provided aircraft remained below Mach 1 over US land. The London-to-New York service became Concorde’s only consistently profitable route.
New Supersonic Aircraft
Several US companies are developing quieter supersonic passenger aircraft. Boom Supersonic says United Airlines, American Airlines, and Japan Airlines have placed pre-orders for its Overture aircraft. The Overture carries 60 to 80 passengers. Spike Aerospace is developing the smaller Diplomat, which carries up to 18 passengers. Both companies say their aircraft could complete transatlantic flights in less than four hours.
