American Airlines (AA, Dallas/Fort Worth) has placed an order with Boom Technology (Denver Centennial) for twenty Overture supersonic aircraft with options for 40 more. The airline has signalled its commitment to the order by paying a non-refundable, albeit undisclosed, deposit for the firm-ordered aircraft.
"Looking to the future, supersonic travel will be an important part of our ability to deliver for our customers. We are excited about how Boom will shape the future of travel both for our company and our customers," Chief Financial Officer Derek Kerr said.
Under the terms of the agreement, Boom must meet undisclosed operating, performance and safety requirements before the contract can be finalised.
Boom Overture aircraft are scheduled to roll out in 2025 with certification of the 65-80-seater expected in 2029. Boom Technology anticipates that the aircraft will be able to fly at Mach 1.7 over water with a range of 4,250 nautical miles (7,870 kilometres), sufficient to operate transatlantic routes between the US East Coast and Europe, albeit insufficient for transpacific sectors between the mainland US and Asia.
Boom Technology has yet to identify powerplants for its clean-sheet supersonic aircraft.
In June 2021, United Airlines (UA, Chicago O'Hare) placed a tentative order for fifteen Overtures with a further 30 options. Contrary to American Airlines, United did not disclose paying any non-refundable deposits or advances.
No American carriers ever operated any of the twenty produced supersonic Concordes.
