Imagine flying from New York to Los Angeles in just two hours—a dream that has lingered in the minds of travel enthusiasts since the retirement of the supersonic passenger jet, Concorde. Now, that dream is edging closer to reality. Boom Supersonic’s XB-1, a sleek, needle-nosed demonstrator aircraft, recently made history by breaking the sound barrier for the first time over the continental United States.
This milestone marks a major leap forward in developing a viable successor to the Concorde, potentially ushering in a new era of air travel where supersonic flights dramatically reduce travel times and bring distant cities within easy reach. Keep reading to explore the implications of the XB-1’s historic flight and how it brings us closer to a future where cross-country journeys are measured in just a few hours.
XB-1 breaks the sound barrier for the first time
According to Space.com, Boom Supersonic achieved a historic milestone on Monday, January 28, when its XB-1 test jet broke the sound barrier for the first time.
During the flight, chief test pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg piloted the XB-1 from the iconic Mojave Air & Space Port in California under mostly clear skies. Just 11.5 minutes into the flight—the jet’s 12th overall—at an altitude of approximately 35,000 feet (10,668 meters), the aircraft exceeded Mach 1, marking the first time a civil aircraft has gone supersonic over the continental United States.
The XB-1 continued to push the boundaries of supersonic flight, reaching Mach 1 two additional times—around 17 and 22 minutes after takeoff—to evaluate its handling performance. Roughly 30 minutes after liftoff, the jet successfully landed on its custom-designed landing gear, built specifically for the aircraft.
Due to the limited size of the designated test airspace, the XB-1’s time above Mach 1 was brief, but this landmark achievement brings the aviation industry one step closer to the return of commercial supersonic travel.
What does it mean for the future of commercial flights?
“This is such a huge step, building the first civil supersonic jet, you know, right here in America,” Greg Krauland, Boom advisor and former Chief Engineer, said during the company’s livestream on X. “This jet (XB-1) really does have much of the enabling technologies that are going to enable us to go ahead and to build a commercial supersonic airliner that is available to the masses.”
The XB-1 only serves as a technology demonstrator, with Boom Supersonic using it to test and validate the jet’s design and subsystems. The data gathered will play a crucial role in developing the company’s passenger aircraft called Overture.
Overture is an ambitious project: a planned 64-to-80-seat supersonic jet that Boom Supersonic aims to launch as the first commercial passenger aircraft to break the sound barrier since the British-French Concorde, which made its final flight in 2003.
Based in Colorado, Boom Supersonic already has over 100 orders for Overture from major airlines around the world. The company’s vision is to revolutionize air travel by reintroducing supersonic jets, potentially slashing flight times by half.
What happened to the Concorde?
The Concorde was a groundbreaking supersonic passenger jet that operated from 1976 to 2003, developed through a joint effort between France’s Aérospatiale and Britain’s British Aircraft Corporation (BAC). Capable of reaching speeds of Mach 2.04 (around 1,354 mph or 2,180 km/h), it drastically reduced transatlantic flight times. Known for its sleek delta-wing design, drooping nose for enhanced visibility, and luxurious service, the Concorde was a symbol of aviation innovation.
However, it was eventually retired due to high operating costs, low passenger demand, and safety concerns, particularly following the 2000 Air France Flight 4590 crash.
While the Concorde was faster than the XB-1 (Mach 2.04 vs. Mach 1.7), it created a loud sonic boom that restricted its routes. In contrast, Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 aims to improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise during supersonic flight.
Although the Concorde held the speed record, it never broke the sound barrier over the continental United States, as the XB-1 just did. Its supersonic flights were limited to overwater routes, such as the Atlantic Ocean, due to the disruptive sonic boom mentioned earlier.