American Airlines has signed an agreement with Boom Supersonic to purchase up to 20 Overture aircraft, with an option for 40 more, the companies announced Tuesday. The carrier also paid a nonrefundable deposit on the initial 20 aircraft.
Overture aircraft are being designed to carry 65 to 80 passengers at Mach 1.7 over water, or about twice the speed of today’s fastest commercial aircraft, with a range of 4,250 nautical miles, once they are operational and approved for service, according to the companies.
As examples, the aircraft could enable a Miami-to-London flight in just under five hours, and Los Angeles to Honolulu in about three hours, according to the companies.
Boom Supersonic in July revealed the final production design of the Overture, which currently is slated for a rollout in 2025 and its first passengers by 2029, according to the companies.
United Airlines also has a purchase agreement with Boom Supersonic, and Japan Airlines first invested in the company in 2017. Orders from American, United and JAL total 130 aircraft, according to Boom Supersonic.