United Airlines chief executive Scott Kirby expects Boom Supersonic’s Overture to miss its 2029 entry-into-service target, saying development will take longer than planned. United has agreed to buy 15 aircraft, with options for 35 more, subject to the supersonic airliner meeting the airline’s safety, operating and sustainability requirements. Kirby gave no revised date and did not specify which programme milestone he believes will slip.
United and Boom outlined a schedule in 2021 that envisaged passenger service in 2029. Overture, designed to carry 60 to 80 passengers at a stated cruise speed of Mach 1.7, must still be developed and certified before it can enter commercial operations. Kirby said United could become the aircraft’s first airline operator if the programme succeeds, while cautioning that it faces significant hurdles and that success is not assured.
Boom’s latest engine-related development is a prototype turbine core completed in October. The company intends it to support both Symphony, the engine under development for Overture, and its stationary power-turbine business. The core is due to undergo testing, but its completion does not establish a revised aircraft schedule. Boom has not confirmed a new target for Overture’s service entry.