Japan Airlines and Boom Supersonic are collaborating to develop a new commercial jet designed to cruise at approximately Mach 2.2, aiming to dramatically reduce transoceanic flight times.
Japan Airlines has made a strategic investment of $10 million in Boom Supersonic to support development of the aircraft and holds an option to purchase up to 20 of the jets in the future. Boom projects the first operational aircraft could enter service in the mid-2020s, pending certification and further testing.
Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, said the two companies have been coordinating closely. “We’ve been working with Japan Airlines behind the scenes for over a year now,” he said, noting that Japan Airlines brings extensive operational experience and a strong focus on the passenger experience. Scholl emphasized the teams’ shared goal of producing a reliable, maintainable aircraft capable of offering passengers revolutionary speed.
The supersonic jet is planned as a premium-configured aircraft, accommodating roughly 45–55 business-class seats to balance comfort, range, and performance.
Yoshiharu Ueki, president of Japan Airlines, highlighted the partnership’s focus on safety and passenger value. “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 emphasizing flight safety,” he said, underscoring the airline’s commitment to advancing faster travel while maintaining rigorous safety standards.
The collaboration aims to address technical, operational and customer experience challenges associated with reintroducing supersonic passenger service. Key considerations include noise and environmental performance, certification pathways, and maintainability to ensure efficient operations. By combining Boom’s supersonic design work with Japan Airlines’ decades of route, service and maintenance expertise, both companies intend to accelerate development and prepare for commercial deployment.
While ambitious timelines and eventual entry-into-service dates remain subject to regulatory approvals and testing milestones, the partnership represents a significant step toward restoring high-speed air travel for premium passengers on long-haul routes. If successful, the aircraft could halve many existing flight durations, offering a new option for travelers who prioritize time savings and a premium onboard experience.