Boom Supersonic, which has its sights on commercial Hawaii flights, among others, starting in 2029, announced today the first successful flight of its XB-1. This is a milestone in the aviation company’s plans for what is the first ever independently developed supersonic jet. The flight took place at the Mojave Air & Space Port, and despite all doubts about the company and its plans, represents a big step forward.
Prepare for inevitable supersonic flights to Hawaii.
Last year, Boom SST’s XB-1 received FAA experimental airworthiness certification following significant scrutiny. XB-1 is the precursor to Boom’s near-future planned supersonic airliner called Overture. The airliner is planned as a carbon fiber composite aircraft with state-of-the-art avionics, digitally-optimized aerodynamics, and advanced supersonic propulsion.
United Airlines, American Airlines and others see the potential for supersonic travel via Overture SST, flying at Mach 1.7 and slashing travel time between Hawaii and California to a mere two hours. The forthcoming Overture SST, with four engines and a streamlined fuselage, is premised on increased efficiency and reduced noise levels. It will cater to discerning visitors seeking a faster and more luxurious travel experience.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said previously, “Boom’s vision for the future of commercial aviation, combined with the industry’s most robust route network in the world, will give business and leisure travelers access to a stellar flight experience.”
Hawaii route and price conjecture.
“West coast markets to Honolulu and Maui include the Bay Area (San Francisco or Oakland) and Los Angeles (2.25 hours). International destinations might include Sydney, Australia (4 hours) and Tokyo, Japan (3 hours). Domestic flights other than overwater aren’t going to happen due to the sonic boom, which, while said to be less on Boom, will still be an issue. As for ticket prices, we can’t say what fares could be to fly on the Overture jets, but we’d expect them to be somewhat higher than the typical first-class fares that Hawaii visitors now pay.”
Beat of Hawaii
Contemplating potential inaugural routes.
Hawaii remains one of the compelling destinations for supersonic flights, following lucrative business oriented routes from New York to London. United Airlines plans to purchase Boom’s ‘Overture’ aircraft. It represents an industry shift towards this new type of air travel, with projected passenger operations slated for as soon as 2029.
Boom, a U.S. company, identified nearly 600 routes suitable for Overture SST, potentially halving current flight times. It plans to introduce its 1,300 MPH supersonic aircraft accommodating 65-88 passengers.
The first Overture aircraft is slated for construction in 2025.
Nonetheless, there is significant skepticism among many in the industry about the feasibility of supersonic travel and Boom Overture in particular. Previously, Supersonic plane travel to Hawaii has included Concorde landings. Those happened before the turn of the century. As the airline industry continues to move forward, the prospects of regular supersonic travel to Hawaii invite contemplation.
Boom said that the aircraft meticulously executed all test objectives during today’s test flight. It flew to an altitude of 7,120 feet at speeds up to 273 mph. According to the manufacturer, the flight validated XB-1’s design and performance.
Two decades after Concorde, which had Hawaii flights.
Two decades after the fourteen Concorde planes were retired, Boom believes that the test aircraft’s success signifies a resurgence of commercial supersonic aviation in the very near future.
What are your thoughts on Boom SST travel to Hawaii?
I think it’s great but the cost will be to expensive for most people.
If your old enough to remember early civilian aviation, and I mean prop jobs in the mid 50s. The same was true. Back then, the alternative was the railroad for the common traveler. Look where it took is today. The pricing on this plane will be the repeat of the past. Now it will be luxury of 2hours vs 6hours (the railroad of the sky).
Well it’s about time. Is it necessary? No. Four hours to Hawaii is no big deal. We fly to Tokyo and then Bangkok and Manila from LAX every year. But cutting the travel time in half? Why not if you can afford it. I’m sure there will be plenty of takers if the price is about double for half the travel time. Time is money
I think this is a very risky proposition for the company and also the airlines to purchase. If NASA’s jet gets certified to fly supersonic over land then not only would the overture jets be allowed but also could only travel over the ocean. Airlines won’t buy both when One does it all.
Why will ,Boom succeed where Concorde failed because of sonic booms over populated areas?
It’s nice to see that we are striving to do better moving forward but I caution against price gouging which can kill the whole thing. Be reasonable please.
Having retired from the aerospace industry I can vouch for the fact that the technology is available to bring this aircraft to fruition, but, as noted by several posters already, the economy of doing so and making it a financial success is an entirely different matter…
Best Regards
San Diego guy here. I want this to happen, but it won’t in my town. We’re SO lucky to have an airport Right in the middle of our city center (sit in any window seat labeled “A” for the best views). That said, departing on runway 27 for a supersonic? It will get shut down immediately. Too many rich people on a hill, basically. If Boom can really take off in a turbofan mode, Then switch to supersonic in-flight, the we “might” have a chance. Again, I really, really want this to work. It’s about time we had some courage to fly Mach 2+ again.
35 year airline guy here, I have to agree with you, I too want this to happen but the feasibility of being able to fly on this aircraft and making it affordable for the common man that’s what I do not see. Now that being said the Concord was around for many years and the wealthy, I have to assume ,we’re able to support it until they didn’t.
Well of course it will take off in sub sonic mode. All planes do. But San Diego may no be a big enough hub with lax so close by
“Build it and they will come.” There will be a market, mostly for west coast to Japan or Australia. I agree with most commenters thoughts that west coast to Hawaii would be too expensive to save 2 hours. So — I’ll start the prediction game and BOH can revisit this in 2029…drum roll…Round trip from west coast to Hawaii in 2029 will be: $12,500.
I agree with Rod… this would be great for Asia, Australia, Fiji, etc., I am just not sure how many people would be willing to spend the money to reduce a Hawaii flight by a few hours.
Thanks, David.
David,
I guess it will also depend on what they carry besides people.
And, how many passengers it can carry. Say 100 total with 20 paying top dollar and coach passengers paying the equivalent of today’s 1st class prices.
Nope, it doesn’t work. Unless they are hauling a lot of most-have-now-cargo.
It will be too expensive for me!
The economics of the Concorde doomed from the start. It entered service 3 years after the 1973 oil crisis. It was relegated to a vanity project for both British Airways and Air France. I know. I worked for Air France at the time. Our load factors were 60% on a really good day. Most of the time, loads were closer to 40%.
If Boom’s Overture is to survive past initial fanboy interest, it needs to be economically viable, and the break-even point can’t be 125% of capacity.
Considering the number of recent incidents with United Airlines fleet, the absolute LAST thing that their CEO should be doing is making statements about this until they clean house from top to bottom of all of the slackers that are obviously not doing their collective jobs.
Don,
You are absolutely correct but these recent issues are part of a much bigger industry problem that goes way beyond what the non-airline public is seeing. This forum is not big enough to go into the issues but the FAA will figure it out I know this for a fact!!
Not sure I will be able to afford it, but who doesn’t want to get to Hawaii in 2 hours?
Bring it on!
Nice idea but not practical. its going to be too expensive and the cost of operating it along with fuel will be a bad PR move
I have doubts about the potential for supersonic flights to Hawaii. Flights to Asia and Europe, possibly. But how many high-end travelers will pay the fare (undoubtedly very high) to save 3 hours from the West Coast?
On the other hand, such high-end travelers would fit in with Gov Green’s desire for only well-off visitors. Perhaps he will subsidize their fares in expectation of serious spending elsewhere in Hawaii (hotels, restaurants etc).
Well, 65-88 passengers…as a flight attendant, that sound lovely. But, at that altitude and that speed, if there’s an incident of any kind- it will be catastrophic. I still use snail mail – I guess snail air travel works for me too…:)
travelling at those speeds uses substantially more fuel, not even considering the smaller passenger loads. if Green was serious about his climate policies he would simply ban these flights
I am hoping the speed advantage will bring pax back from gen av. Those of us who are fortunate enough to travel in first would likely love this but the vast majority of pax will stay focused on getting flights as cheap as possible. Cannot see this being profitable for award travel unless the already laughable mileage requirement for premium cabin to Hawaii is pushed further putting it out of reach for all but the most active Airline Credit card users. I cannot wait for American to put one into zervice as I loathe the narrowbody Airbus flights from LAX.
I’m already paying $1500+ for first class from Ontario, CA. Not gonna pay double or triple that to save 3 hours. Not in this lifetime.
Have been flying to SEA and back at least once a year for the last 8 years for family and medical reasons. Coach in the beginning, but first class since Covid. ~3 hours vs almost 6 hours sounds luxurious and worth it.
Soos, it sounds good until we hear the fee. I fly from Ontario (Cal) to HNL. There are 16 seats in first class and about 200 in economy. I think I’ve read that these super fast planes (like the old Concorde) will have 100 or so seats.
If only 16 people are willinng to pay (or use miles) for 1st class now, why should we believe that many more than those would fly first class for 2, 3 or more times the current cost?
I doubt it.
Take it slow.