US Congress Advances Supersonic Flight Bill

US lawmakers advanced a bipartisan bill directing the FAA to craft certification and noise standards for civilian supersonic flight.

The proposal would push the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop fresh rules that could finally address the decades-old U.S. ban on routine overland supersonic travel. Supporters say the change would unlock faster transatlantic trips and back commercial projects such as Boom Supersonic’s Overture alongside NASA’s X-59 research aircraft.

Lawmakers expect broad backing in both the House and Senate, framing the move as a way to keep the U.S. at the forefront of high-speed aviation. The text of the bill prioritizes new certification paths and modernized noise limits to reflect quieter designs and better sonic-boom modeling used by today’s engineers.

Why supersonic flight matters

Industry and government are watching next steps closely. NASA has scheduled acoustic test flights over U.S. cities in 2026 to gather real-world sonic-boom data that will inform the FAA’s future standards. Commercial developers hope those test results, combined with new certification rules, will make regular supersonic service viable and community-friendly.

• Potential benefits include faster point-to-point travel, renewed U.S. leadership in aerospace, and clearer pathways for supersonic flight certification.
• Programs impacted: Boom Supersonic’s Overture and NASA’s X-59 experimental aircraft, which are central to noise and safety research.
• Stakeholders such as airlines, regulators, and event planners (including groups like the NFL exploring European logistics) are monitoring developments closely.

Next up: committee hearings and drafting of technical requirements. If the bill proceeds, the FAA would begin rulemaking and seek public input; NASA’s 2026 acoustic flights will provide critical data during that phase. Timelines remain fluid, but the legislation marks a significant policy shift toward accommodating safe, quieter high-speed travel.