‘Supersonic’ Planes Could Make a Comeback in the U.S. after Decades-Long Ban

image via New Scientist

May 15, 2025, 5:45 PM

• •Lawmakers are pushing to repeal the ban on supersonic flights over the U.S., potentially increasing demand for gas-guzzling jets.
• •The proposed legislation, the "Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act," aims to allow civilian flights faster than the speed of sound.
• •Boom Supersonic, a planemaking startup, is a key player in this effort, backed by United Airlines and others.
• •Environmental concerns are raised as these jets are expected to consume significantly more fuel, despite potential use of sustainable aviation fuel.

A bill in Congress aims to overturn the ban on supersonic flights over the United States, a move that could dramatically increase the number of these fuel-intensive jets in the skies. The "Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act" would mandate the Federal Aviation Administration to revise regulations prohibiting supersonic flight. This initiative is driven by companies like Boom Supersonic, which has backing from United Airlines, and aims to bring back commercial supersonic travel. Concerns have been raised about the environmental impact, as these jets are predicted to consume far more fuel compared to existing commercial aircraft, despite the potential for sustainable aviation fuel.

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