Supersonic Flights Out of Dallas-Fort Worth? Here’s What American Airlines Deal Means

Supersonic flights out of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport might be on the horizon.

Aside from the convenience of getting to destinations in half the time, an American Airlines deal to purchase up to 20 Overture aircraft from Boom Supersonic could be another selling point to attract corporate investment in the metroplex.

Fort Worth-based American Airlines paid a non-refundable deposit for the new aircraft under development. The Overture is expected to be able to travel twice the speed of today’s commercial airplanes.

The Denver-based manufacturer says the Overture is being designed to carry 65 to 80 passengers at Mach 1.7 over water, or about 1,304 mph.

While American Airlines agreed to purchase up to 20 Overture aircraft, the deal comes with an option for an additional 40 in the future. The supersonic aircraft will fly more than 600 routes around the world.

The frequency of Overture aircraft flights out of DFW, a major American Airlines hub, has not yet been determined. It also remains unknown which locations passengers would be able to fly to from DFW.

“As Boom continues to develop the Overture aircraft, we will work together to better understand where, when and how it may best fit within our network and operation,” said Rob Himler, an airline communications representative.

Boom plans to roll out its first model of Overture in 2025. The jet is expected to carry its first passengers by 2029, which means it’s too early to discuss ticket prices on the aircraft, Himler said.

Fort Worth business leaders say it’s also too early to predict what DFW-based supersonic flights could mean for industrial and corporate recruitment.

“The purchase of the Overture supersonic aircraft presents an exciting opportunity for American Airlines, and we look forward to seeing how that agreement is fleshed out over time,” said Robert Sturns, director of economic development for the city of Fort Worth.

“While it’s too soon to understand the overall impact this could have on the local economy, the announcement is positive news for the region and for a long-standing Fort Worth company,” Sturns said. “It reflects our city’s desire to explore innovative options when it comes to transportation.”

American Airlines says flights from Miami to London could take less than five hours. Los Angeles to Honolulu trips could take three hours.

A flight from New York City to London that typically takes seven hours could be as short as three hours and 30 minutes. A traditional 15-hour flight from Los Angeles to Sydney could take as little as eight hours. A flight from Tokyo to Seattle may only take four hours and 30 minutes, compared to the usual nine-hour flight, according to the New York Post.

American Airlines is not the only major carrier to sign a deal with Boom Supersonic. Last year, United Airlines agreed to purchase 15 Overture jets from Boom. Overture’s total purchase orders and options, including Japan Airlines, stands at 130 aircraft, the company says.

In addition to commercial travel, Boom is working with Northrop Grumman for government and defense applications of Overture.

Success of the Overture aircraft will represent the return to supersonic commercial travel after the Concorde was retired in 2003. The European-owned Concorde flew passengers at more than twice the speed of sound for almost 30 years.

Travel on the supersonic aircraft was eventually discontinued due to the high costs of fuel and operations, as well as safety concerns after a Concorde taking off in Paris in 2000 crashed after its tire hit debris on the runway, killing all on board.

The Concorde was also very expensive for passengers. A London-New York Concorde flight in the mid-1990s cost approximately $8,000. When considering inflation, the same ticket would cost around $13,000, according to Simple Flying.

Boom Supersonic is designing Overture for fares comparable to today’s business class. The company says its long-term vision is that the fastest flight is also the most affordable. Boom Overture tickets will be 75% cheaper than those to travel on the Concorde, according to Simple Flying.

“It’s going to be within reach for tens of millions of passengers on day one,” Boom Supersonic CEO Blake Scholl told Simple Flying.

#zone-el-9 { display: none; } .story-body { padding-bottom: 30px; }

©2022 Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Visit star-telegram.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.