The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced plans to replace its 50-year ban on overland supersonic flight with a noise-based certification standard, potentially allowing supersonic passenger jets to fly over US territory once again. The move follows an executive order by President Donald Trump in June 2025 directing the FAA to remove regulatory barriers for supersonic aviation.
FAA Proposes Noise Threshold to Replace Ban
Since 1973, the FAA has prohibited civilian aircraft from exceeding Mach 1 over US territory to prevent disruptive sonic booms. The Department of Transportation now intends to replace this ban with a noise limit, permitting flights faster than the speed of sound as long as the sound produced stays below a designated level. The FAA notice, issued on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, states that the agency plans to finalize both regulations by mid-2027.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said that technological advances will eliminate the traditional sonic boom, allowing the repeal of the 1970s ban while minimizing noise impacts on communities along flight routes and near airports.
Historical Context and Concorde
Throughout the 1960s, supersonic aircraft produced shock waves that hit the ground as a thunderous crack similar to a gunshot, according to Forbes. Trials showed that repeated sonic booms smashed windows, caused property damage, and triggered thousands of public complaints. In 1973, the FAA concluded that a prohibition was necessary to protect the public.
Years later, Air France and British Airways introduced the Concorde, which was allowed to operate services into New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport but had to fly subsonic over US territory.
New Generation of Supersonic Aircraft
Several American companies are developing a new generation of luxury supersonic passenger aircraft with quieter sonic booms and improved fuel efficiency. Colorado-based Boom Supersonic reports pre-orders from United Airlines, American Airlines, and Japan Airlines for its Overture aircraft, which will seat 60-80 passengers. Atlanta-based Spike Aerospace is developing smaller Diplomat jets for up to 18 passengers. Both companies advertise future transatlantic flights of less than four hours.
