US Moves Closer To Lifting 50-Year Ban On Supersonic Passenger Flights

Supersonic passenger air travel may be poised for a return in the United States as regulators move toward ending a decades-old ban on faster-than-sound commercial flights over land. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed replacing the existing speed-based restriction, in place since 1973, with a new regulatory framework focused on limiting noise impact from sonic booms.

Under the proposed rules, supersonic aircraft would no longer be categorically restricted from flying over land. Instead, operators would be required to demonstrate that the sonic-boom overpressure reaching the ground does not exceed a specified threshold of 0.11 pounds per square foot. The FAA said the shift reflects significant advances in aerodynamics and flight design that could minimise or even eliminate disruptive sonic booms for people on the ground.

Supersonic aircraft are capable of flying faster than the speed of sound, known as Mach 1, which is approximately 1,235 kmph depending on atmospheric conditions. Such speeds could potentially reduce travel times on long-haul routes by nearly half, making air travel significantly faster than current commercial jets. However, noise pollution has remained the primary barrier to their widespread use over populated areas.

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The original restriction was introduced in 1973 after concerns that sonic booms created by supersonic aircraft were too loud and disruptive for communities below flight paths. The booming sound occurs when shock waves generated by an aircraft travelling faster than sound reach the ground, often described as similar to distant thunder. This led to a longstanding prohibition on civil supersonic flights over US land without special permission.

The FAA noted that recent technological developments, including new aircraft designs and flight techniques, have shown promise in reducing the intensity of sonic booms. It cited test flights and demonstrations conducted by companies such as Boom Supersonic, which have explored methods to mitigate ground-level noise impact. These advancements have encouraged regulators to consider a performance-based approach instead of a blanket speed ban.

The proposal is currently open for public consultation, with the FAA directed to finalise updated noise certification standards by June 2027. If approved, the new framework could pave the way for a new generation of commercial supersonic aircraft, potentially reshaping long-distance air travel in the coming decades.

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