The Big Challenge Ahead for the Concorde’s Successor Is Dominating the Sonic Boom. Some Companies Say They’re Close

Flights from London to New York City used to take less than three hours. Today, the same journey typically lasts around eight hours. Aircraft such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the Airbus A350, and the Airbus A321XLR are now more modern, comfortable, and efficient. However, none can match the speed of the Concorde. Powered by its powerful Rolls-Royce Olympus 593 engines, the Concorde could travel at more than 1,350 mph.

The era of commercial supersonic flight ended 21 years ago, on Oct. 24, 2003, with the final takeoff and landing of the iconic Anglo-French aircraft. Many passengers recorded this historic farewell with their handheld video cameras. In 2025, some experts believe that a successor to the legendary Concorde may be on the horizon. However, any new project will need to overcome several key challenges that ultimately led to the original aircraft’s retirement.

What Went Wrong with the Concorde

Once seen as the future of the aviation industry, the Concorde flew for just 27 years. It began operating with British Airways and Air France in 1976 and was withdrawn from service in 2003. Several factors contributed to the decline of this promising passenger transport.

First, economics played a significant role. The Concorde consumed a tremendous amount of fuel, making ticket prices prohibitively expensive. As a result, it was financially unviable and never became a mainstream transportation option.

Second, the aircraft was inherently noisy. It generated substantial noise during takeoff, landing, and even in mid-flight. When it exceeded the speed of sound, it created a shock wave known as a sonic boom, which drew considerable criticism. As such, supersonic flights were restricted to routes over the ocean to avoid disturbing urban areas, significantly limiting the available routes for the aircraft.

Despite its excellent safety record, a tragic accident on July 25, 2000 accelerated its decline. A Concorde crashed shortly after taking off from Charles-de-Gaulle Airport in Paris, killing all passengers and crew on board and four individuals on the ground. Following this tragedy, the entire fleet was grounded while an investigation was conducted to determine the cause of the accident. This incident was the only fatal accident in Concorde’s history.

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The Road to the Next Supersonic Aircraft

Supersonic aircraft, which travel at speeds ranging from Mach 1.2 to Mach 5, are currently limited to military and experimental use. No commercial aircraft with similar capabilities are in operation, but several projects aim to change this. One of the leading companies in this field is Boom Technology. Founded in 2014 in Denver, Colorado, the company has attracted investments from several venture capital funds that recognize its significant potential.

Boom’s Overture concept.

Boom’s objective is clear. The company aims to develop a worthy successor to the Concorde and is committed to succeeding with this project. This is where the Overture comes in. It’s a 200-foot-long aircraft concept designed to carry 64 to 80 passengers. Boom claims that it’ll achieve a cruising speed of Mach 1.7 and will be able to fly at supersonic speeds over land without producing an audible sonic boom. This will be thanks to a feature the company calls “Boomless Cruise,” which will enable the aircraft to reach previously inaccessible destinations to the Concorde.

The Boomless Cruise feature.

Boom says that its aircraft will be able to operate profitably on more than 600 routes, which is crucial for attracting airline interest. The aircraft’s design features a long nose and a high angle of attack. Pilots will utilize an augmented reality system to ensure they have a clear view of the runway. Aerospace manufacturer Honeywell will provide the avionics for the aircraft. The company has reached an agreement with Boom to adapt its advanced Anthem system for the Overture supersonic aircraft.

Boom’s Overture concept.

Boom is also partnering with other major players in the aviation industry, including Collins Aerospace, Safran, Leonardo, and Universal Avionics. The company has also hired Mike Bannister, who was the chief pilot for British Airways’ Concorde fleet for nearly a decade. In addition, Boom has completed the construction of the Overture Superfactory in Greensboro, North Carolina. This facility will feature the first assembly line capable of producing 33 supersonic Overture aircraft each year.

The company is currently testing some of the Overture technologies using a small experimental aircraft called the XB-1, which recently achieved a significant milestone by completing its first supersonic flight.

However, Boom isn’t the only company aiming to revive commercial supersonic flight. NASA is also actively involved in this endeavor with the X-59, an aircraft designed to demonstrate the possibility of flying at supersonic speeds without generating an audible sonic boom. This technology could potentially change the regulations that currently prohibit these kinds of flights over land.

Images | British Airways | Boom [1, 2, 3]

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