American Airlines has revealed plans to bring commercial supersonic travel to passengers after it put down a deposit on 20 new aircraft.
The carrier has partnered with Boom Supersonic to purchase the US-built Overture aircraft, which the company said will cut flight times in half.
Boom could operate services between London and Miami in four hours and 40 minutes, knocking nearly five hours off the existing journey time.
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American Airlines has paid a non-refundable deposit on 20 Overture aircraft and has the option to buy an additional 40.
Boom said the purchase makes the airline “poised to have the world’s largest supersonic fleet”.
The first Overture aircraft is expected to roll out in 2025, begin test flights in 2026 and carry passengers by 2029.
Blake Scholl, founder and chief executive of Boom, said: “We are proud to share our vision of a more connected and sustainable world with American Airlines.
“We believe Overture can help American Airlines deepen its competitive advantage on network, loyalty and overall airline preference through the paradigm-changing benefits of cutting travel times in half.”
Concorde was taken out of service in 2003 after 27 years of commercial flights at more than twice the speed of sound.