Trump Revives Supersonic Flight Over America
President Donald Trump (R) has taken a bold step toward restoring American leadership in aerospace by signing an executive order on June 6, 2025, that lifts the 52-year ban on supersonic commercial flights over U.S. land. This historic move directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to repeal the outdated 1973 regulation forbidding civilian aircraft from exceeding the speed of sound across the continental United States. The order instructs the FAA to establish new noise-based certification standards that ensure supersonic flights produce no audible sonic booms on the ground, overcoming the major obstacle that grounded faster-than-sound commercial aviation for decades. Combined with breakthroughs by American innovators like Boom Supersonic, President Trump’s action promises to launch a new generation of high-speed air travel – cutting coast-to-coast flights to under four hours and putting the U.S. back in the pilot’s seat against global competitors.
This executive order marks a historic reopening of America’s skies to supersonic passenger travel, setting the stage for a renaissance in aviation technology and economic competitiveness.
“By removing decades-old regulatory barriers and promoting cutting-edge supersonic technology, President Trump is Making Aviation Great Again,” said Blake Scholl, CEO of Boom Supersonic.
The Details Behind Trump’s Supersonic Aviation Push
The 1973 regulation, imposed primarily because sonic booms created loud and disruptive noise over populated areas, effectively grounded commercial supersonic travel on U.S. soil for over half a century. Until now, only military planes or specially designated test flights were allowed to exceed Mach 1 over land, limiting commercial development and ceding leadership in this sector to foreign rivals like Europe and China. President Trump’s executive order commands the FAA to develop a certification system that focuses on noise standards rather than a blanket speed ban. This latest directive taps into decades of research and recent technological advances, particularly in reducing sonic boom impacts to near inaudibility.
American startup Boom Supersonic has pioneered some of the most promising developments in this space. Their XB-1 demonstrator employs patented “Boomless Cruise” technology that utilizes atmospheric temperature gradients and innovative aircraft design – such as longer noses and engines mounted above the wings – minimizing the sonic footprint. Their goal is to reestablish supersonic commercial service within years. With Trump’s backing, the FAA will use data from NASA, the Department of Defense, and private innovators to craft balanced noise certification rules that protect communities while freeing industry to innovate.
This order is part of a wider push by the Trump administration to accelerate aerospace innovation domestically. Alongside supersonic flight reforms, Trump signed executive orders accelerating drone commercialization and promoting electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, positioning the U.S. at the forefront of new aviation markets. The orders also include provisions to prioritize American-made drones for federal agencies and establish grant programs to boost purchases by local authorities, reinforcing domestic manufacturing and supply chains.
Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, underscored the order’s transformative goal: enabling flights from New York to Los Angeles in under four hours, revolutionizing American air travel.
“This is a bold new chapter in aerospace innovation that will allow America to regain its rightful leadership in high-speed flight,” said Kratsios.
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have celebrated this step. U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) filed legislation aligned with these reforms, noting that congressional support reflects wide recognition of the stakes in competing with China’s burgeoning aerospace ambitions. China recently announced projects aiming to develop its own supersonic passenger aircraft, making America’s response crucial to maintaining strategic and economic advantage.
The impact of Trump’s executive order will be felt beyond aviation enthusiasts. Commercial airlines such as American and United have already signaled plans to integrate supersonic jets to substantially reduce flight times on popular long-haul routes, shaking up the airline industry. The rejuvenation of supersonic travel promises new jobs, manufacturing innovation, and economic growth – all key pillars of the president’s America First agenda.
Decades of Dormancy and the Road Ahead
Commercial supersonic travel was famously epitomized by the Concorde, which first flew in the 1970s and flew passengers from New York to London in under two hours. However, the sonic booms created by Concorde, combined with high fuel consumption and ticket prices, limited adoption and led to premature retirement of the fleet in the early 2000s. Since then, American innovation stalled due to overly restrictive FAA policies that failed to keep up with technological progress, handing momentum to foreign competitors.
The 1973 ban was initially a reasonable response to community noise complaints, but it became an entrenched barrier, stifling talented American aerospace companies from pursuing supersonic commercial flights for more than five decades. Trump’s executive order decisively confronts this outdated mindset, enabling a regulatory framework that reflects today’s quieter, more efficient aircraft technologies. This pivot aligns with broader conservative priorities of cutting red tape, fostering innovation, and securing U.S. leadership in strategically critical technologies.
Companies like Boom Supersonic, located in Colorado, have leveraged advances in materials science, aerodynamics, and propulsion to design jets that can fly faster than sound without producing the disruptive sonic booms heard previously. Their XB-1 demonstrator has completed multiple successful supersonic test flights without annoying communities on the ground – a game-changer. Industry experts forecast that this renaissance could spark a new era of faster, greener, and more affordable air travel.
The executive order directs the FAA to craft noise regulations informed by community acceptability, economic reasonableness, and technical feasibility, a balanced approach that recognizes the benefits supersonic travel brings while respecting public concerns.
“Legalizing supersonic flight makes a renaissance in supersonic passenger travel inevitable. We’re grateful to President Trump for his leadership,” said Blake Scholl, Boom Supersonic CEO.
In the global arena, the U.S. faces competition not only from China but from European aerospace players currently developing novel supersonic jets. By eliminating regulatory barriers first, American companies gain a vital head start. Trump’s orders also promote domestic manufacturing of drones and electric air taxis, carving out leadership in emerging aerial markets poised to transform logistics, delivery, and urban mobility. These actions underscore a broader strategic vision to prioritize American innovation and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.
This renewed focus on supersonic and unmanned aerial technologies dovetails with the Trump administration’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and national security. As the U.S. reinvests in cutting-edge aviation, the economic spinoffs will ripple through manufacturing, engineering, and high-tech sectors – creating well-paying jobs and strengthening American industry competitiveness on the world stage.
