Supersonic Boom Overture’s one-way ticket may cost $5,000

Pending regulatory approval, the Boom Overture, the fastest commercial aircraft to be, is expected to start operating passenger flights as early as 2029. However, like its legendary predecessor Concorde, it will not be cheap to get on board the supersonic airliner.

Its manufacturer, Boom Technology, estimates that the flight with the Overture may cost up to $5,000 per one-way ticket. Despite the expected high-ticket costs, several airlines worldwide have already included the upcoming supersonic jet in their future fleet plans.

The Boom Overture will be able to reach a speed of Mach 1.7 (about 2,100 kilometers per hour) and carry 65 to 88 passengers. That speed would allow going from New York to London in three hours and 30 minutes, against six hours and 30 minutes today.

AeroTime investigates the current deals for the Boom Overture.

The launch customer?
It was early 2016, when Richard Branson, British business magnate and founder of Virgin Group, officially confirmed that the parent company of Virgin Atlantic optioned ten Overture airliners. At the time the deal was ultimately valued at about $2 billion. Even though it did not mean that the airline bought those aircraft, by signing a Letter of Intent (LOI) the parties agreed that if both adhered to the terms, the deal would develop further as was initially planned.

In the meantime, another subsidiary of Virgin Group, The Spaceship Company (TSC) committed to supporting Boom Technology in the Overture development, testing and production.

Secret interests
Months after the first LOI was officially signed, an undisclosed Europe-based carrier decided to follow in Virgin Group’s steps. The deal included options for a total of 15 supersonic aircraft. And this is how the Overture brought its manufacturer another commitment worth $3 billion, at a time when the aircraft was just a wooden mock-up with some concept drawings.

During the 2017 Paris Air Show, Boom Technology racked up another 51 commitments for the Overture from unspecified customers.