✈️ When Will We Fly on Supersonic Planes Again?

The last flight of the supersonic passenger jet Concorde on the London–New York route took place on October 24, 2003. 23 years later, the world is returning to supersonic flights.

Several companies plan to launch such aircraft as early as the end of the decade. According to the European Aviation Safety Agency forecasts, by 2035, there will be more than 13,000 supersonic passenger flights per year in the region.

💡 Why Did Supersonic Flights Stop?

The first and main reason is unprofitability. A supersonic aircraft consumes approximately 3–4 times more fuel than a conventional airliner. For example, the commercial operation of the Soviet supersonic Tu-144 began in 1978 and lasted only 7 months due to extreme unprofitability.

The Concorde was more successful, but airlines made no secret of the fact that they operated the planes for prestige rather than profit. A ticket for a transatlantic flight on the Concorde cost about $10,000—four times more than on a Boeing 747. The time savings (3.5–4 hours instead of 8 hours) usually weren't worth it—supersonic flights were more of a status symbol.

In addition, when transitioning to supersonic speed, the aircraft creates a loud sonic boom audible on the ground for tens of kilometers. Because of this, civilian airliners in the U.S. are still prohibited from flying faster than the speed of sound over land. Currently, NASA is conducting test flights of the experimental X-59, which is set to become the first "nearly silent" supersonic aircraft.

🔄 Supersonic Aviation Revival

But the first commercial supersonic airliner in several decades will most likely be the Overture from the American company Boom Supersonic. The company is already conducting test flights and has about 130 orders, including from the world's largest carriers: United Airlines, American Airlines, and Japan Airlines. The aircraft, designed to carry 64–80 passengers, will fly at an altitude of approximately 18 km at a speed of about 2,200 km/h.

The first deliveries of these quiet, fuel-efficient, and high-speed aircraft are scheduled for 2029—in case there are no production or certification issues.

Would you fly on a supersonic plane?

🔥 — Of course!
🤔 — I don't even really like regular ones...

@hiaimediaen