Will supersonic flight be our future?

As the world hurtles towards a future where speed and sustainability are no longer mutually exclusive, the aviation industry is poised for a revolution. Boom Supersonic, a pioneering company in the field, is developing its flagship airliner, Overture, with a commitment to making high-speed travel safe, sustainable, and a net good for society. This vision is not just a pipe dream, but a tangible reality that is being shaped by experts like Dr. Akshay Ashok, a sustainability and regulatory specialist at Boom, who recently contributed to the World Economic Forum on the intersection of speed and sustainability in aviation. The convergence of speed and sustainability is not just a niche concern, but a global priority. Governments in the United States and Europe are prioritizing high-speed travel, with the U.S. government including it as one of its strategic priorities, and NASA and the European Union investing in high-speed vehicle design research. Meanwhile, the aviation industry, which accounts for approximately 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions, is pledging to reduce its climate impact. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has adopted a collective long-term goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is recognized as a critical component in achieving this goal. SAF is not just a buzzword, but a tangible solution to decarbonizing the aviation industry. By optimizing high-speed aircraft to fly on 100% SAF, manufacturers like Boom can significantly reduce their environmental footprint. In fact, over 100 airlines, manufacturers, and airports have expressed interest in procuring SAF, with agreements exceeding 11.2 billion gallons. Boom has already secured agreements with SAF producers for 10 million gallons of SAF per year for Overture's flight test program. To scale the SAF industry, four core measures are critical: early adoption, sustained research and development funding, a strong government incentive model, and consistent SAF policies. By implementing these measures, the aviation industry can unlock the full potential of SAF and deliver carbon reductions across the globe. The reintroduction of supersonic commercial travel presents a unique opportunity for new entrants to integrate sustainability from the beginning of the design process. Modern supersonic airliners like Overture, with its propulsion system, SymphonyTM, will be able to achieve net-zero carbon operation upon entry into service by optimizing the design of both aircraft and engine for 100% SAF. Advances in aerospace technology, including lighter composite materials and higher fidelity modeling, will also contribute to more efficient and sustainable flight. As the industry looks to the future, it is clear that speed and sustainability are not mutually exclusive, but complementary components of a new era in aviation. However, the journey to sustainable supersonic flight is not without its challenges. Further research and development are needed to address non-CO2 impacts, such as nitrogen oxides and water vapor, which could have significant impacts on the environment. Supersonic flights aboard aircraft like Overture will fly at higher altitudes, reducing contrails, but potentially increasing other forms of emissions. To better understand the holistic impacts of high-speed flight, further climate science research is needed to evaluate potential mitigation strategies, including climate-optimal cruising altitudes and routing that avoids contrail formation. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the benefits of air travel are clear – it connects people, links economies, and unlocks new possibilities. High-speed air travel will make the world dramatically more accessible, but it is equally important that we prioritize sustainability alongside speed. By optimizing for sustainability from the beginning, new entrants in the aerospace manufacturing space, like Boom Supersonic, can ensure that the benefits of faster flight are delivered sustainably. As the industry embarks on this new era, one thing is clear – the future of aviation is not just about speed, but about sustainability, and the two are inextricably linked.