X

Boom ready to roll out its first jet en route to carbon neutral supersonic travel

The XB-1 will demonstrate key technologies designed for what could be the first commercial supersonic jet since the Concorde.

Andy Altman Director of Video Production
Andy Altman is a producer covering all things science and tech. He led production on CNET's award-winning limited documentary series Hacking the Apocalypse. He also created and co-hosts our video series What the Future.
Expertise Science, Renewable Energy, Aviation, Robotics Credentials
  • Webby Award Honoree 2023 - Science & Education, Gold Telly 2022 - Science and Technology, Gold Telly 2022 - Science and Technology Series, Gold Telly 2021 - Documentary Series, Silver Telly 2021 - Directing
Andy Altman

It's been nearly 20 years since anyone booked a ticket on a supersonic jet, but Boom is set to take a big step toward its goal of bringing that option back to commercial passengers.

The Denver-based startup is scheduled to unveil its XB-1 supersonic jet on Oct. 7. The XB-1 is a one-third scale demonstrator of the Overture, which Boom hopes will be the first commercial supersonic jet since the Concorde.

xb1-hangar-general

The XB-1 in development at Boom headquarters.

Boom

"Overture will take you from New York to London in three and a half hours, or San Francisco to Tokyo in six." CEO Blake Scholl told me. In addition to being the fastest commercial jet ever built, the Overture will operate 100% carbon neutral, Boom says. 

Watch the video above to see more of my interview with Scholl and learn about the technology Boom says will make its jets faster and more efficient than the Concorde.

Boom expects test flights of the XB-1 to begin sometime in 2021, with the goal of putting Overture into service by 2030.