Swift Skies: How Executive Orders Could Soon Make New York to Los Angeles in Just 3 Hours with Commercial Supersonic Flights by 2027!

Supersonic travel in the U.S. may be on the verge of a comeback. A recent executive order has lifted a 52-year ban on overland commercial supersonic flights, which could reshape how we travel.

Previously, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned these flights in 1973 due to noise complaints from the public. The new executive order, issued on June 6, aims to introduce noise-based certification rules for supersonic aircraft, allowing flights that could cut the travel time between New York and Los Angeles from six hours to just 3.5 hours.

Historically, countries like the U.S., France, and the Soviet Union competed to develop supersonic aviation technology. However, their aircraft created disruptive noise that made overland flights impractical. The Soviet Union’s Tu-144, for example, relied on loud engines to reach incredible speeds.

Fast forward to today, and companies like Boom Supersonic are innovating with technology that allows for “boomless cruise.” This lets aircraft fly above 30,000 feet, reaching Mach 1 without disturbing those on the ground. They achieved a significant milestone in January 2025, successfully testing a flight that redirected sonic booms upward, allowing them to dissipate before hitting the earth.

Moreover, Boom faces competition from Lockheed Martin, which has partnered with NASA on its X-59 aircraft. This jet’s unique design positions the engines on top of the fuselage, effectively managing shock waves and minimizing noise.

The regulatory approach to supersonic technology is quite aggressive. The new directive sets deadlines to repeal flight prohibitions by December 3, 2026, establish noise certification standards by December 6, 2026, and finalize rules by June 6, 2027. To put that in perspective, it took only four years for regulations on commercial drones to go from concept to implementation.

Experts believe that these advancements could greatly change air travel. According to a recent survey, 63% of travelers expressed interest in supersonic flights if they could travel faster with less noise. It seems the excitement is building for a new era of air travel.

As we move forward, this shift could redefine how we perceive distance and time. The return of supersonic flying might not just be a dream anymore; it could be a reality within the next few years. For those curious about the details, you can learn more about this exciting development [here](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/06/leading-the-world-in-supersonic-flight/).

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