GREENSBORO — American Airlines has agreed to purchase 20 supersonic Overture planes from Boom Supersonic, the companies announced Tuesday.
The deal is the second firm order in the last two years for Boom. United Airlines made a commitment last year to buy 15 Overture jets, reported CNBC.
“Passengers want flights that are faster, more convenient, more sustainable and that’s what Overture delivers,” Boom CEO Blake Scholl told the business network.
The airline also has the option to purchase another 40 Overtures in the future.
American Airlines said the supersonic plane will change travel.
“Looking to the future, supersonic travel will be an important part of our ability to deliver for our customers,” said Derek Kerr, the airline’s chief financial officer.
It has been nearly 20 years since the last supersonic passenger flight by Concorde, the British-French plane that failed to catch on because of the high cost — both for passengers and airlines.
Boom selected Greensboro to build its manufacturing plant for the planes. The company is targeting 2025 to roll out the new model with commercial service beginning by the end of the decade.
Boom says its plane will have a top speed of 1.7 times the speed of sound, or about 1,300 mph, and carry between 65 and 80 passengers.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
