by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 10:25 PM ET, Tue June 30, 2026
Commercial supersonic flights are coming to the United States.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is taking a step toward enabling civil supersonic flights over the continental United States.
According to a statement released by the FAA, this step forward is due to the "massive innovations in supersonic technology,” which make it “possible to safely operate these innovative aircraft without a sonic boom."
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said advances in aerospace engineering, materials science, noise reduction, and new operational concepts will eliminate the old sonic boom caused by the aircraft. “This means we can ultimately repeal the ban from the 1970s on
supersonic flight over U.S. territory while minimizing noise impacts to
residents in communities along the route and near airports," Bedford said.
Next-gen supersonic planes promise to reduce travel times–enabling faster movement of people and goods.
“Restoring supersonic flight over land isn’t just about speed, it's about unleashing American innovation and ushering in a Golden Age of Travel,” Duffy said in a statement.
To pave the way for the next-gen supersonic flights, the FAA has proposed a rule that would set a noise-based certification standard for the aircraft. In addition, the government agency plans to propose another rule later this year, establishing landing and takeoff noise standards for supersonic aircraft.
The pair of proposed regulations are meant to replace the existing overland ban for supersonic flights that's been in effect since 1973 and was created in response loud noise emitted by sonic booms.
“Together, these actions will give manufacturers the guidance they need to finalize their designs and bring these exciting innovations online,” the FAA said.
The FAA aims to finalize both rules by mid-2027.
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