Japan Airlines is investing $10 million in a firm developing a new supersonic aircraft.
The carrier has forged a strategic partnership with Boom Supersonic to bring commercial supersonic travel to passengers.
Jal also has the option to purchase up to 20 aircraft through a pre-order arrangement.
Boom is developing a new-generation supersonic aircraft, due to fly at speeds of Mach 2.2, cutting traditional flight times in half.
The plans involve creating an aircraft to carry up to 55 passengers in business class-type seating to enter service in the mid-2020s.
The agreement will see Jal provide its knowledge and experience as an airline to support Boom in developing the aircraft.
The airline is collaborating with the company to refine the aircraft design and help define the passenger experience for supersonic travel.
Boom Supersonic founder and CEO Blake Scholl said: “We’ve been working with Japan Airlines behind the scenes for over a year now.
“Jal’s passionate, visionary team offers decades of practical knowledge and wisdom on everything from the passenger experience to technical operations.
“We’re thrilled to be working with Jal to develop a reliable, easily-maintained aircraft that will provide revolutionary speed to passengers. Our goal is to develop an airliner that will be a great addition to any international airline’s fleet.”
Jal president Yoshiharu Ueki said: “We are very proud to be working with Boom on the advancement in the commercial aviation industry.
“Through this partnership, we hope to contribute to the future of supersonic travel with the intent of providing more ‘time’ to our valued passengers while emphasising flight safety.”
Virgin Atlantic is the only other customer to have been publicly identified. It holds options to purchase the first ten Boom aircraft.