Supersonic aircraft are on the verge of a resurgence following a pivotal move by the US to overturn a 50-year prohibition. The Trump administration asserts that advancements in technology now allow airplanes to surpass the speed of sound without creating disruptive sonic booms.
Since 1973, the Federal Aviation Administration has enforced a ban on civil aircraft exceeding Mach 1 over US territory to prevent the disturbances caused by sonic booms. The Department of Transportation plans to replace this ban with a noise threshold, permitting aircraft to fly faster than Mach 1 over land as long as the noise levels remain below a specified limit.
A recent announcement by the FAA on June 30 confirmed this shift in policy, aligning with an executive order issued by President Donald Trump in June 2025. The order directed the FAA to revoke the prohibition on overland supersonic flight, establish a noise-based certification standard, and eliminate regulatory hurdles hindering supersonic aviation technology progress 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 and 20 °C. The FAA aims to finalize the new regulations by mid-2027, as per the notice.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford expressed confidence in technological advancements eradicating the traditional sonic boom, allowing for the potential repeal of the 1970s ban on supersonic flight over US territory while minimizing noise impact on communities and airports.
During the 1960s, aircraft exceeding the speed of sound, around 660 mph at high altitudes, generated disruptive shock waves that caused damage and discomfort to the public. The FAA’s 1973 ruling reflected the need to safeguard the public from such sonic booms given the technological limitations of that era.
Currently, several American companies are developing advanced supersonic passenger jets with reduced noise levels and improved fuel efficiency. Boom Supersonic, based in Colorado, has received pre-orders from major airlines for its Overture aircraft accommodating 60-80 passengers. Spike Aerospace, headquartered in Atlanta, is working on Diplomat jets designed for up to 18 passengers, with both companies promising transatlantic flights in under four hours on their websites.