Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 Demonstrator Breaks the Sound Barrier, Ushering in a New Era of Air Travel

Boom Supersonic has reached a historic milestone with its XB-1 demonstrator plane successfully breaking the sound barrier over California’s Mojave Desert. This event marks the first instance a civil aircraft has gone supersonic since Concorde’s retirement in 2003, signifying a pivotal achievement in commercial aviation.

On its 12th test flight, the American startup’s aircraft surpassed Mach 1, maintaining supersonic speeds for about four minutes and reaching Mach 1.1. Test pilot Tristan Brandenburg further pushed the boundaries, breaking the sound barrier twice more before receiving clearance to return to the Mojave Air & Space Port.

This achievement comes eight years after Boom unveiled the XB-1, a scaled-down, one-third-size version of the company’s ultimate vision: the Overture, a 64-passenger supersonic airliner. Boom CEO Blake Scholl emphasized in a post on X that significant work remains before Overture takes to the skies, including its first engine ignition, which Boom aims to achieve later this year.

As Boom progresses with Overture’s development, major airlines like American Airlines and Japan Airlines have already placed orders, indicating strong industry interest in reviving supersonic travel.

Brandenburg safely landed the XB-1 shortly before noon ET, and Boom has suggested a second supersonic test flight could occur within the next two weeks. Scholl likened this accomplishment to SpaceX’s Falcon 1 moment, highlighting the significance of this breakthrough.

Unlike previous supersonic endeavors, which were mainly government-backed—such as the British and French Concorde collaboration—Boom’s success marks the first time a private startup has reached this milestone, underscoring the growing role of private enterprise in advancing aviation.

Speaking to TechCrunch’s Connie Loizos on the StrictlyVC Download podcast, Scholl emphasized the necessity for renewed entrepreneurship in commercial aviation. “We need more Booms,” he remarked, advocating for innovation and risk-taking in the sector.

While several companies are exploring supersonic technology, many focus on defense applications. Exosonic, one of the few commercial-focused competitors, ceased operations in November, positioning Boom as a leading player in developing a supersonic passenger aircraft.

Though Boom collaborates with the U.S. Air Force on some projects, Scholl reaffirmed that the company’s primary mission remains commercial supersonic travel. “This is about American jobs, American leadership in aviation, and enhancing human connectivity across cultures,” he stated.

With the XB-1’s successful supersonic flight, Boom has taken a substantial step towards making commercial supersonic travel a reality again. As the company continues testing and prepares for the next phase, the aviation world eagerly anticipates whether Boom can transform its ambitious vision into a groundbreaking reality.