As US companies work on a next-generation of jets that exceed the speed of sound, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order lifting the ban on supersonic flights over United States land.
Trump Lifts Ban On Supersonic Flights Over USA Via Executive Order
The Executive Order, signed by Trump in the Oval Office on June 6, 2025, orders the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to lift the ban on supersonic travel within 180 days:
“The United States stands at the threshold of a bold new chapter in aerospace innovation. For more than 50 years, outdated and overly restrictive regulations have grounded the promise of supersonic flight over land, stifling American ingenuity, weakening our global competitiveness, and ceding leadership to foreign adversaries. Advances in aerospace engineering, materials science, and noise reduction now make supersonic flight not just possible, but safe, sustainable, and commercially viable. This order begins a historic national effort to reestablish the United States as the undisputed leader in high-speed aviation. By updating obsolete standards and embracing the technologies of today and tomorrow, we will empower our engineers, entrepreneurs, and visionaries to deliver the next generation of air travel, which will be faster, quieter, safer, and more efficient than ever before.”
While One Mile At A Time rightly notes that there were noise and property damage concerns that played a part in the original 1973 ban, there was more going on.
The battle between Boeing, Lockheed, and a joint effort of Aérospatiale (formerly Sud Aviation) of France and the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC) to develop supersonic commercial transport was fierce. Concorde was a European project, a direct challenge to the US dominance in commercial aviation at the time. While environmental activists and homeowners decried the sonic booms, politicians were upset that the supersonic project at Boeing (2707) and Lockheed (L-2000) failed. Rising fuel prices hurt Concorde, but kept any American equivalent from ever taking off. Ultimately, politics played a big role in the 1973 ban.
This time, there are political concerns as well. As China develops its own supersonic aircraft, the C949, there is a “race” for the US to finish first. This policy change, which was also in the works by Congressional Republicans, seeks to clear regulatory hurdles to promote such transit.
Will We See A Return To Supersonic Travel?
I’m not as bearish as One Mile At A Time on the future of commercial supersonic travel. To be certain, the timelines provided by Boom Supersonic are laughably optimistic…it will take many, many years before a new aircraft type is properly tested and certified. But I think there is a market for it and as I deal with the rich and famous in my consulting work, including the jetsetters that travel between homes in New York and London, I am certain there would be strong demand for this kind of service and many would pay a huge premium for it.
> Read More: Concorde 2.0? Boom Supersonic XB-1 Jet Breaks Sound Barrier During California Test Flight
CONCLUSION
President Trump’s latest executive order lifts the ban on supersonic travel over US land, while calling on the FAA to establish sound protocols to reduce the disturbance of sonic booms when an aircraft hits the sound barrier.
Growing up in Southern California, I distinctly remember the sonic booms when the Space Shuttle would return to Earth and land at Edwards Air Force Base. What a sound! I realize that most won’t share my excitement for noise pollution, but I am quite hopeful that we will see a new generation of supersonic jets in my lifetime. We’ll see how all of this plays out…
About time . We have been waiting for this for a long time .
Which far left liberal judge with rule against this executive order? After all it’s their current “duty”. Meanwhile the country is doing just fine as long as you aren’t here illegally. Everyone I know is doing the exact same as they were on June 7th 2024. NOTHING changed, other than babies crying about chicks with d#cks having problems when they beat true women in sports.
Hopefully they all hit the speed of sound directly over your house
Dave is reminding us that MAGA mania is a 24/7 illness.
Maga is reality.
Maga is the majority.
Between gwrry mandering, voter suppression, and a very disappointing opposition party (which lead to enough people not voting), hard to say MAGA is an actual majority.
Dave, no judge will rule against this order. Some citizens do believe in the Constitution and we miss a system that respects it. Remember it allows you free speech.
Sadly, like all autocrats, Trump has outlawed dissent. That is the part of free speech that will most be missed in what was the United States.
I’m looking forward to you whining and whinging as you always do but on this occasion it will be because the sonic boom has shattered your windows for the 100th time in 100 days and because you failed to insure your house, you’re broke and it will all be someone else’s fault.
Just make sure all the sonic booms occur over red states.
Another meaningless executive order. Supersonic flight is a niche market and if it worked then the Concorde would still be around. But like most things the orange maniac does, it’s all bluster and no substance.
Yes, the US should rip up the Declaration of Independence and beg to be a part of Tuvalu. Tuvalu is a great country.
Another woke lib who has his panties all twisted because his girl Kammy got beat in a landslide and his party swept in the election. It is a bitch standing on the sideline when the game is being played and you can’t get off the bench to participate.
MC, thank you for showing the world how bitter, ignorant and racist Trump followers are. And I find it quite amusing that you comment on ‘another woke lib who has his panties all twisted’ when you are clearly ‘the bitter ignorant racist Taco follower’ who has their panties twisted.
When will you losers get over the fact that you follow an idiot and drawing more attention to that fact only makes you look even more stupid? We get it…you are proud of your stupidity and that you want to drive the USA into the ground (if not the whole world) showing it. How many times do you have to lose until you realize it’s all BS? Will you ever? How pathetic….
I’d call you pathetic, but that would mean you’re worthy of pity.
Meaningless is correct.
It’s pretty much meaningless. It’s not viable. There were flights between NY and London but there wasn’t enough demand to keep it going. How come the big US airlines didn’t start a service between NY and London? Even if it becomes viable it would only be used in the US between NY -LA or SF. Maybe Miami to LA. You wouldn’t even save that much time. Also, people like BEzos would probably just fly in their much more comfortable jet by themselves than sit in a small seat on a supersonic plane and have to show up on a schedule.