Bipartisan Bill Could Bring Back Supersonic Flights After 52 Years
Imagine being able to fly from New York to London in just a few hours—without having to travel through time zones overnight. That futuristic dream might soon become reality. A new bipartisan bill aims to lift a 52-year-old ban that has kept supersonic commercial flights grounded in the United States since 1973.
Let’s break down what this means, why it matters, and how it could change the way we travel forever.
What Is Supersonic Flight?
Simply put, supersonic flight means going faster than the speed of sound. That’s over 760 miles per hour at sea level. The last time most people saw a supersonic passenger jet, it was the Concorde—a sleek, needle-shaped jet that could cross the Atlantic in under four hours.
Although the Concorde was retired in 2003, the idea of traveling at supersonic speeds has captured the imagination of engineers, airlines, and frequent flyers alike. But for over 50 years, these flights have been mostly banned in U.S. airspace because of the loud sonic booms they create.
Why Was Supersonic Flight Banned?
Back in the early 1970s, people living near airports and under flight paths began complaining about the intense noise produced by supersonic jets. The booms could shake windows, startle pets, and even damage property. In 1973, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded by banning civilian supersonic flights over U.S. land.
That made sense at the time, but technology wasn’t as advanced as it is today. Fast forward to now—noise reduction technology has come a long way, and new supersonic aircraft are being designed to be much quieter and more efficient.
The New Bipartisan Bill: What’s It About?
This May, lawmakers from both parties introduced a bill that calls on the FAA to rewrite rules related to supersonic flight. Their goal? To allow commercial jets to fly faster than the speed of sound again—right here in U.S. skies.
This bill doesn’t give companies a free pass to start flying loud jets anywhere they want. Instead, it’s asking the FAA to modernize its noise and safety standards so that new supersonic aircraft can be certified and tested under fair and updated rules.
Here’s what the bill is asking for:
- Updated regulations: The current laws are based on outdated technology.
- Faster certification process: So innovative companies don’t get stuck in red tape.
- Safety and noise standards: To ensure modern jets are both quiet and safe.
Who’s Behind the Bill?
This push for speed doesn’t come from one party alone. It’s a bipartisan effort, supported by Republican Senator Jerry Moran and Democratic Senator Mark Warner, among others. They argue that the old rules are holding back innovation and preventing the U.S. from taking the lead in next-gen air travel.
Mark Warner recently said that by modernizing the rules, we can “compete with China and Europe,” who are already racing ahead with their own supersonic research.
Why Should You Care?
You might be wondering—how does this affect me? Well, imagine shaving four hours off a transatlantic flight. Instead of arriving groggy and jet-lagged, you’d land fresh and ready to go. But there’s more to it than just convenience.
Benefits of Lifting the Ban:
- Faster Global Travel: Business meetings, vacations, and emergencies become easier to handle.
- Economic Growth: Supersonic travel could create thousands of jobs and fuel innovation in aviation.
- Environmental Innovation: New aircraft are being designed to be more fuel-efficient and quieter than before.
In many ways, this is about the bigger picture—keeping the U.S. at the forefront of aviation technology and making air travel faster, safer, and smarter.
What Companies Are Leading the Charge?
Several startups and aviation giants are already investing big bucks in the return of supersonic commercial planes. One standout is Boom Supersonic, a Colorado-based company building a Mach 1.7 passenger jet designed to be both quiet and sustainable.
Boom isn’t alone. Other companies like Hermeus and Exosonic are also in the mix, developing aircraft that might one day take off from JFK and land in Paris in under four hours. These aren’t just concepts either—some have already built and tested prototypes.
What’s Next?
The bill is currently making its way through Congress, and it could set the stage for game-changing updates to FAA rules. If passed, the FAA would be required to revisit and possibly revise existing bans and certification processes, with an eye toward the new generation of aircraft.
This doesn’t mean we’ll be boarding supersonic jets next year. There’s still a long road ahead, including safety testing, public hearings, and industry feedback. But it’s a major step forward.
Is Supersonic Travel Safe and Sustainable?
That’s the million-dollar question. Today’s aircraft developers are well aware that any new plane has to tick all the boxes—safety, efficiency, and eco-friendliness.
Modern materials, better aerodynamics, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) are helping manufacturers build planes that are not only faster, but also cleaner. This isn’t just about luxury; it’s about building the future of responsible travel.
Final Thoughts: Are We On the Brink of a Travel Revolution?
The idea of flying at twice the speed of sound sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie—but it might not be that far off. If this new bill passes, it could be the spark that brings back supersonic commercial travel in a safer, quieter, and more sustainable way.
From shorter business trips to fast-track vacations, the future of flight could be just around the corner. It’s exciting to think that children born today might grow up in a world where crossing the globe takes hours, not days.
So, what do you think? Would you hop on a supersonic flight if given the chance?
Keyword Highlights:
- Supersonic flight
- Bipartisan bill
- FAA regulations
- Commercial aviation
- Faster air travel
- Sonic boom ban
Stay tuned: We’ll keep you updated as this bill makes its way through the legislative process. Buckle up, folks—the next big leap in air travel might be just around the corner.