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 on Tuesday (16 August).
The US-based carrier also paid a non-refundable deposit to Boom on the initial 20 supersonic aircraft.
Overture aircraft are being designed to carry 65 to 80 passengers with speeds of up to 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.
This would allow the aircraft to fly between London and Miami in just under five hours, and Los Angeles to Honolulu in about three hours, according to the companies.
Derek Kerr, American’s chief financial officer, said: “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.”
Boom Supersonic revealed the final production design of the Overture in July, which currently is scheduled to roll out in 2025 and carry its first passengers by 2029.
Fellow US carrier United Airlines has already agreed to purchase aircraft from Boom Supersonic, and Japan Airlines (JAL) first invested in the company in 2017. The combined orders from American, United and JAL now add up 130 aircraft, said Boom Supersonic.
Read more about the return of supersonic air travel in BTN Europe’s feature, which asks whether such flights can be sustainable.