Supersonic jets are on track for a resurgence following a significant move by the US to lift a 50-year-old prohibition. The Trump administration asserts that advancements in technology now allow aircraft to surpass the speed of sound without causing disruptive sonic booms.
Since 1973, civil aircraft have been prohibited by the Federal Aviation Administration from going beyond Mach 1 over US territory to prevent the disturbance caused by sonic booms. The Department of Transportation plans to replace this ban with a noise threshold that would permit aircraft to travel faster than Mach 1 over land as long as the noise levels remain within specified limits, as confirmed in a notice released by the FAA on June 30.
This development follows an executive order issued by President Donald Trump in June 2025 instructing the FAA to revoke the ban on overland supersonic flight, establish a noise-based certification standard, and eliminate regulatory obstacles hindering supersonic aviation technology in the US.
Mach 1 represents the speed of sound, approximately 1,235 km/h (767 mph or 343 m/s) in dry air at sea level at 20°C. The FAA aims to finalize both regulations by mid-2027, according to the notice.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford expressed confidence in technological advancements eliminating the traditional sonic boom, stating that this progress could lead to lifting the 1970s ban on supersonic flight over US territory while minimizing noise disturbances for communities along flight routes and near airports.
In the 1960s, aircraft exceeding the speed of sound, around 660 mph at high altitudes, produced shock waves that reached the ground, creating loud noises akin to gunshots. Testing during that era revealed that these sonic booms caused damage to property, shattered windows, and led to numerous public complaints.
In 1973, the FAA justified the ban by stating that the technology at the time necessitated protection of the public from sonic booms. Years later, Air France and British Airways introduced Concorde, with permissions to operate subsonic flights over US soil when flying into New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Several US companies are currently developing advanced luxury supersonic passenger jets designed to produce quieter sonic booms and enhance fuel efficiency. Boom Supersonic, based in Colorado, claims to have secured pre-orders from major airlines for its Overture aircraft, accommodating 60-80 passengers. Meanwhile, Spike Aerospace, headquartered in Atlanta, is working on Diplomat jets that can carry up to 18 passengers, offering the promise of transatlantic flights in under four hours on their respective websites.