US Lawmakers Propose Ending 52-Year Supersonic Flight Ban Over Land

Lawmakers Push to Lift 52-Year Ban on Supersonic Flights Over Land

After more than half a century of silence at supersonic speeds over U.S. territory, lawmakers are proposing a dramatic policy shift that could redefine the future of high-speed civilian aviation. The Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act (SAM), introduced in May 2025, aims to repeal the 1973 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulation that prohibits nonmilitary aircraft from exceeding Mach 1 over land. This move comes as a response to significant advancements in aerospace engineering, particularly in “quiet supersonic” technologies designed to mitigate the disruptive sonic booms that led to the original ban.

The proposed legislation is not just about speed, it’s about positioning the United States at the forefront of global aerospace innovation. With countries like China already investing heavily in next-generation supersonic platforms, U.S. lawmakers argue that maintaining the outdated ban could leave American manufacturers at a strategic disadvantage. In this context, the SAM Act represents a calculated attempt to modernize aviation policy while balancing environmental, economic, and public safety concerns.

As the debate unfolds, stakeholders from government agencies, private industry, environmental organizations, and the general public are weighing in on what could be a defining moment for commercial aviation in the 21st century.

Historical Background: Why the Ban Exists

The Origins of the 1973 Supersonic Flight Ban

The FAA’s 1973 ban on civilian supersonic flight over land, codified in 14 CFR §91.817, was a direct response to widespread public concern over sonic booms. These shockwaves, generated when an aircraft exceeds the speed of sound (approximately 767 mph at sea level), were not only loud but also capable of causing structural damage. During NASA’s 1964 sonic boom tests over Oklahoma City, 72% of residents reported being disturbed by the noise, and 4.3% claimed property damage.

While military aircraft continued to fly supersonically under restricted conditions, commercial ventures like the Concorde were limited to subsonic speeds over land. This restriction severely hampered the Concorde’s commercial viability, as it could not fully exploit its speed advantage on many routes. Environmental concerns, including high-altitude emissions and potential ozone layer depletion, further contributed to the public’s skepticism about supersonic travel.

In effect, the ban created a regulatory environment that discouraged innovation in supersonic aviation for decades. Only now, with significant technological advancements, is the conversation shifting back toward reconsidering these restrictions.

Economic and Strategic Implications

Supporters of the SAM Act argue that the ban has placed the U.S. at a competitive disadvantage in the global aerospace market. With the global supersonic aviation market projected to reach $70.54 billion by 2034, the stakes are high. Private companies such as Boom Supersonic have already invested heavily in research and infrastructure, including a $100 million manufacturing facility in North Carolina expected to create 1,700 jobs by 2030.

Internationally, competition is heating up. China’s COMAC C949 and Lingkong Tianxing’s Cuantianhou projects are pushing the boundaries of supersonic and suborbital flight, with ambitions to halve transcontinental travel times. These developments underscore the urgency for the U.S. to modernize its regulatory framework to keep pace with global innovation.

Senator Ted Budd and Representative Troy Nehls, the bill’s sponsors, have emphasized that the U.S. must not fall behind in this new aerospace race. “To maintain our global leadership in aerospace innovation, we must modernize air travel by lifting the outdated ban on civil supersonic flight,” Budd stated.

“The race for supersonic dominance between the U.S. and China is already underway and the stakes couldn’t be higher, ” Senator Ted Budd

Technological Advances: Making Quiet Supersonics a Reality

NASA’s X-59 QueSST: Reducing the Boom

NASA‘s X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology (QueSST) aircraft is a cornerstone of the current push to lift the ban. Designed to reduce the traditional sonic boom to a “sonic thump” of around 75 perceived loudness decibels (PLdB)—roughly equivalent to a car door closing—the X-59 leverages advanced aerodynamics and a 99.7-foot elongated fuselage to disperse shockwaves laterally. (space.com)

NASA plans to conduct community overflight tests between 2026 and 2027 to assess public tolerance for these quieter sonic events. The data collected will be submitted to the FAA by 2028 to inform future regulatory decisions. These efforts aim to replace the current speed-based restrictions with noise-based standards that reflect modern capabilities. (nasa.gov)

According to Larry Cliatt, NASA’s acoustics lead for the QueSST project, “We expect the X-59 sonic thump to be as low as about 75 perceived loudness decibels. That is a lot quieter than the Concorde, which was over 100 perceived loudness decibels.” (nasa.gov)

Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 and Overture

Private industry is also making significant strides. Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 demonstrator aircraft achieved Mach 1.3 in January 2025. By flying at altitudes around 60,000 feet and using the Mach cutoff effect, the XB-1 prevents shockwaves from reaching the ground, effectively eliminating the audible boom.

Boom’s next project, the Overture, is designed to travel at Mach 1.7 and aims to enter commercial service by the end of the decade. The aircraft will use similar boom-mitigation strategies and is being developed with sustainability in mind, including the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs).

Blake Scholl, CEO of Boom Supersonic, views the SAM Act as a pivotal opportunity: “This is our Sputnik moment. If we don’t lead, someone else will.”

Environmental and Regulatory Considerations

Climate Impact and Emissions

Despite the progress in noise reduction, environmental concerns remain a significant hurdle. Supersonic aircraft typically operate at higher altitudes, where emissions such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) can have a greater impact on the ozone layer. Additionally, these aircraft tend to emit more CO2 per passenger-mile than subsonic jets.

NASA estimates that the X-59’s engines will emit approximately 20% more CO2 per passenger-mile. The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) has warned that a fleet of 2,000 supersonic aircraft could contribute up to 0.1 gigatons of CO2 annually—about 1% of global aviation emissions.

To address these concerns, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) introduced new noise and emissions standards in 2025. However, enforcement across jurisdictions remains inconsistent, raising questions about the global viability of supersonic travel.

Public Acceptance and Legal Framework

Even with quieter technology, gaining public acceptance is not guaranteed. NASA’s upcoming community response surveys will play a critical role in determining whether the public is ready to embrace supersonic flight once again. The FAA must also ensure compliance with the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, which defines 65 decibels as the threshold for significant noise.

From a legal standpoint, the FAA has the authority under 49 U.S.C. §44715 to revise noise regulations, but any changes must be justified through cost-benefit analyses that consider both economic and public welfare impacts. This means that even if the technology is ready, regulatory approval could still face delays.

Balancing innovation with environmental and social responsibility will be crucial as the FAA considers how to implement the SAM Act, should it pass into law.

Conclusion: A New Era of High-Speed Travel?

The proposed repeal of the 1973 supersonic flight ban marks a turning point in U.S. aviation policy. With the convergence of technological readiness, legislative momentum, and growing international competition, the time may be ripe for a new chapter in commercial air travel. However, this transition will require careful navigation of environmental, regulatory, and societal concerns.

Ultimately, the success of supersonic aviation in the 21st century will depend on three pillars: establishing robust noise certification standards, investing in sustainable propulsion technologies, and fostering international regulatory alignment. If these challenges can be met, the dream of quiet, fast, and efficient air travel over land could soon become a reality.

FAQ

What is the Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act?
It’s a proposed U.S. law that would instruct the FAA to revise its ban on civilian supersonic flight over land, provided no sonic booms reach the ground.

Why was supersonic flight banned in the first place?
The FAA banned it in 1973 due to concerns over loud sonic booms and property damage caused by shockwaves from aircraft breaking the sound barrier.

What are “quiet supersonic” technologies?
These are engineering innovations that reduce or eliminate the audible sonic boom, often through aircraft design and flight altitude strategies.

Is supersonic flight environmentally friendly?
Not yet. Supersonic aircraft typically emit more CO2 and NOx than subsonic planes, but ongoing research aims to mitigate these impacts through sustainable fuels and engine efficiency.

When could we see commercial supersonic flights over land?
If the SAM Act passes and FAA regulations are updated, commercial operations could begin in the late 2020s, pending aircraft certification and public acceptance.

Sources

• FLYING Magazine
• NASA
• Boom Supersonic
• ICCT
• ICAO