U.S. Ends 50-Year Ban on Supersonic Overland Flights

Key Takeaways

• President Trump signed an order ending the 52-year ban on US civilian supersonic flight over land.
• FAA must create new noise-based standards within 180 days and propose permanent rules within 18 months.
• Supersonic flights could reduce New York to Los Angeles travel time to under four hours.

On June 6, 2025, President Trump signed a historic executive order that directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to end the 52-year-old ban on civilian supersonic flight over land in the United States 🇺🇸. This move marks a major change in American aviation policy, opening the door for a new era of high-speed travel that could let passengers fly from New York to Los Angeles in under four hours. The order requires the FAA to replace the old speed-based ban with new noise-based standards, aiming to balance technological progress with community and environmental concerns.

This article explains what the executive order means, how the FAA will carry out these changes, and what it could mean for airlines, passengers, communities, and the future of flight.

What Happened: The Executive Order and Its Impact

Who: President Trump, the FAA, airlines, manufacturers, and the American public
What: Repeal of the 1973 ban on civilian supersonic flight over land
When: Executive order signed June 6, 2025
Where: United States 🇺🇸 airspace
Why: To restore U.S. leadership in aviation, support innovation, and allow faster travel
How: By directing the FAA to create new noise-based rules for supersonic aircraft

The executive order is the most significant change in U.S. commercial aviation rules since the original ban was put in place in 1973. Back then, the government stopped supersonic flights over land because people complained about loud sonic booms—shock waves created when a plane breaks the sound barrier—that rattled homes and sometimes caused property damage.

Now, with new technology that can make supersonic planes quieter, the government believes it’s time to rethink the old rules. President Trump’s order tells the FAA to start the process of lifting the ban within 180 days and to set up an interim noise standard for these fast planes. The FAA must also propose permanent new rules within 18 months.

The FAA’s Role: Step-by-Step Regulatory Changes

The FAA is the agency in charge of making sure air travel is safe and follows the law. Here’s how the process will work:

1. Executive Order Issued: On June 6, 2025, President Trump signed the order.
2. Ban Withdrawal: The FAA must begin removing the overland supersonic ban within 180 days.
3. Interim Noise Standard: The FAA will set a temporary noise rule for supersonic planes, focusing on making sure no loud sonic booms reach the ground.
4. Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM): Within 18 months, the FAA must publish a proposal for new, permanent noise standards and update the rules in 14 CFR Part 36 and 14 CFR 91.817.
   • 14 CFR Part 36 covers noise standards for aircraft.
   • 14 CFR 91.817 is the rule that currently bans supersonic flight over land.
5. Public Comment: The FAA will ask for feedback from airlines, manufacturers, communities, and environmental groups.
6. Final Rulemaking: After reviewing comments and technical data, the FAA will issue final rules.

Key Deadlines:
– Ban withdrawal: Within 180 days of June 6, 2025
– NPRM (proposed rules): Within 18 months (by December 2026)

For more information about the FAA’s role and updates on supersonic flight regulations, visit the official FAA website.

Why Now? Advances in Supersonic Technology

When the original ban was put in place in 1973, the main concern was the loud sonic boom created when planes flew faster than the speed of sound. These booms could be heard—and even felt—on the ground, leading to thousands of complaints and reports of broken windows and other damage.

Since then, technology has improved. New designs and materials can help reduce or even eliminate the loud noise that used to be a problem. Companies like Boom Supersonic are working on planes that can fly at Mach 1.7 (about 1,300 miles per hour) and carry 64–80 passengers in an all-business-class setup. Their goal is to make flights much faster without disturbing people on the ground.

Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, said, “Americans should be able to fly from New York to LA in under 4 hours,” pointing to these advances as a reason to update the rules.

What’s Changing: From Speed Limits to Noise Standards

Old Rule:
– No civilian supersonic flight over land, no matter how quiet the plane is.
– Planes like the Concorde could only go supersonic over the ocean.

New Rule (in progress):
– Supersonic flight over land will be allowed if the plane meets strict noise standards.
– The main requirement: No audible sonic boom should reach the ground.
– Standards will be based on what communities can accept, what’s reasonable for airlines and manufacturers, and what’s possible with today’s technology.

This change means that if a company can build a supersonic plane that’s quiet enough, it can fly over the United States 🇺🇸 at high speed. The FAA will set the exact noise limits and test how well new planes meet them.

Who’s Affected: Stakeholders and Their Views

Airlines and Aircraft Manufacturers

• Opportunities:
  • Airlines could offer direct, coast-to-coast supersonic flights, saving hours for business travelers.
  • Manufacturers like Boom Supersonic can sell more planes if they meet the new standards.
  • U.S. companies hope to compete with international rivals, such as China’s COMAC, which is also working on supersonic aircraft.
• Challenges:
  • Planes must pass strict noise tests, which may require new designs and more research.
  • High costs mean early flights will likely focus on business travelers willing to pay more for speed.

Passengers

• Benefits:
  • Much faster travel times—New York to Los Angeles in under four hours.
  • More choices for premium, business-class travel.
• Limitations:
  • At first, tickets may be expensive and only available on certain routes.
  • Regular travelers may have to wait until costs come down.

Communities and Environmental Groups

• Concerns:
  • Even with quieter planes, some worry about noise and possible environmental effects, like increased emissions.
  • Community groups want to make sure the new rules protect people on the ground.
• Protections:
  • The FAA promises to set standards that prevent loud sonic booms from reaching homes and businesses.
  • There will be a public comment period so everyone can share their views.

Government and International Partners

• U.S. Government:
  • Wants to restore American leadership in aviation and support new jobs and industries.
• International Coordination:
  • The executive order tells the U.S. to work with other countries to set similar rules, making it easier for supersonic planes to fly internationally.

Historical Background: How Did We Get Here?

• 1973: The FAA bans civilian supersonic flight over land after many complaints about sonic booms.
• Concorde Era: The famous Concorde jet could only fly supersonic over the ocean, not over land in the United States 🇺🇸.
• 2003: The last Concorde flight takes place. Since then, there have been no commercial supersonic passenger flights.
• 2018–2025: New interest in supersonic travel grows as companies and NASA work on quieter technology. Lawmakers and the White House push for updated rules.
• June 6, 2025: President Trump signs the executive order to repeal the ban and start a new chapter for supersonic flight.

What’s Next: The Path to Supersonic Flights Over Land

FAA Regulatory Process:
– The FAA will move quickly to remove the old ban and set up new noise standards.
– The public will have a chance to comment on the proposed rules.
– Final rules are expected by late 2026.

Aircraft Certification:
– Companies like Boom Supersonic must prove their planes meet the new noise standards before they can fly commercially.

Market Launch:
– Boom Supersonic hopes to start commercial flights with its Overture jet by the end of the decade, if all goes as planned.

International Flights:
– The United States 🇺🇸 will work with other countries to make sure supersonic planes can fly across borders without running into different rules.

Multiple Perspectives: Support and Concerns

Key Quotes and Industry Reactions

• President Trump: Emphasized the need to restore U.S. leadership in supersonic aviation and pointed to new technology that makes quieter flights possible.
• Michael Kratsios: “Americans should be able to fly from New York to LA in under 4 hours,” highlighting the benefits of new technology.
• Boom Supersonic: Called the executive order a breakthrough for faster, quieter travel and said it’s essential for their Overture aircraft.
• Congressional Stakeholders: Lawmakers like Rep. Troy Nehls and Sen. Ted Budd had pushed for similar changes, now made official by the executive order.

Practical Implications for Travelers and the Industry

For Airlines and Manufacturers:
– Direct, faster routes could make business travel more attractive.
– U.S. companies can compete with international firms, creating jobs and boosting the economy.
– New noise rules may require more investment in research and development.

For Passengers:
– Faster flights will save time, especially for business travelers.
– At first, flights may be expensive and limited to certain routes.

For Communities:
– New standards aim to protect people from loud sonic booms.
– Communities can share their concerns during the public comment period.

For the Environment:
– While noise may be reduced, environmental groups want to make sure emissions and other impacts are also addressed.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the move to allow supersonic flight over land is widely seen as a boost for American innovation, but it comes with challenges. The FAA must balance the needs of airlines and travelers with the concerns of communities and environmental advocates.

What Should Stakeholders Do Now?

• Airlines and Manufacturers:
  • Follow the FAA’s rulemaking process closely.
  • Invest in technology to meet new noise standards.
  • Prepare for certification and market launch.
• Passengers:
  • Watch for news about new supersonic routes and ticket prices.
  • Share feedback during the public comment period if you have concerns or suggestions.
• Communities and Environmental Groups:
  • Stay informed about the FAA’s proposals.
  • Participate in the public comment process to make your voice heard.
• International Partners:
  • Work with U.S. officials to harmonize rules and support safe, quiet supersonic travel worldwide.

Where to Find More Information

• FAA Official Website: www.faa.gov
• White House Office of Science and Technology Policy: www.whitehouse.gov/ostp
• Boom Supersonic: www.boomsupersonic.com

For the latest updates on the FAA’s supersonic flight regulations, check the FAA’s news and updates page.

Conclusion: A New Era for Supersonic Flight in the United States 🇺🇸

The repeal of the 52-year ban on civilian supersonic flight over land is a major milestone for American aviation. Thanks to President Trump’s executive order, the FAA is now working to create new noise-based standards that could make high-speed, coast-to-coast travel a reality for the first time in decades. While there are still technical, financial, and environmental hurdles to clear, the move signals a strong commitment to innovation and competitiveness.

As the FAA develops new rules and the public weighs in, all eyes will be on how quickly and safely supersonic flight can return to American skies—this time, quieter and more sustainable than ever before.

Learn Today

Executive Order → A directive issued by the President to manage federal government operations and policies.
FAA → Federal Aviation Administration; U.S. agency regulating civil aviation safety and standards.
Supersonic Flight → Flight at speeds greater than the speed of sound, typically over Mach 1.
NPRM → Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; a public document proposing new regulations and inviting comments.
Sonic Boom → A loud noise caused by shock waves when an aircraft exceeds the speed of sound.

This Article in a Nutshell

President Trump’s 2025 executive order ends the long-standing US ban on civilian supersonic flights over land. The FAA is tasked with setting noise standards, enabling fast, quiet supersonic travel, potentially revolutionizing flight times like New York to LA in under four hours.
— By VisaVerge.com