U.S. to allow supersonic jets over land as Trump orders regulatory overhaul

In a major policy announcement from Washington, D.C. on June 6, 2025, U.S. President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order directing the Federal Aviation Administration to repeal the longstanding ban on commercial supersonic flight over land. Titled Leading the World in Supersonic Flight, the order was formally released by the White House and confirmed through official statements. It outlines an ambitious framework to dismantle key federal aviation rules that have prohibited overland supersonic operations for more than 50 years. The move is positioned as a cornerstone of a broader effort to restore America’s leadership in high-speed aerospace development and reshape the future of commercial aviation.

The Federal Aviation Administration now has 180 days to repeal regulations under 14 CFR 91.817, 91.819, and 91.821. These rules have blocked any commercial aircraft from flying faster than the speed of sound over U.S. soil, citing environmental and public nuisance concerns related to sonic booms. Trump administration officials stated that these rules have become technologically obsolete, and the latest advancements in engine design, composite materials, and acoustic suppression justify a full regulatory overhaul.

Why did the U.S. ban supersonic flight over land in the first place?

The original restriction on supersonic flight was imposed during the early 1970s, when aircraft like the Concorde faced intense backlash due to disruptive sonic booms. These disturbances led to broad public opposition and ultimately resulted in the Federal Aviation Administration enacting 14 CFR 91.817. That regulation prohibited all non-military aircraft from exceeding Mach 1 over land, effectively halting any commercial development of supersonic passenger services within the U.S. market. The new executive order describes that ban as an artifact of a bygone era, asserting that today’s aerospace sector is equipped to mitigate those earlier concerns.

Trump’s order argues that American engineers are now operating under global disadvantage due to these legacy policies. Countries including Japan and the United Arab Emirates have recently advanced research into low-boom supersonic technologies, and several non-U.S. firms are actively testing new aircraft prototypes. According to the White House, the failure to modernize U.S. regulatory frameworks has allowed foreign competitors to take the lead in a sector historically dominated by American innovation.

What will the FAA do next under the executive order?

Under the executive order, the Federal Aviation Administration must initiate a phased repeal of the outdated rules within six months. This includes eliminating the supersonic ban under 91.817 and removing associated technical clauses under 91.819 and 91.821 that previously imposed further constraints. Simultaneously, the FAA is directed to develop an interim certification standard based on noise limits rather than arbitrary speed caps, paving the way for real-world testing of supersonic aircraft that meet modern acoustic benchmarks.

In the longer term, the FAA has been given 18 months to publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking under 14 CFR Part 36. This proposed regulation will outline comprehensive noise thresholds for takeoff, landing, and en-route supersonic operations. The rule must balance technological feasibility, community acceptability, and economic reasonableness, using data derived from industry-led testing and federal research programs. A final rule based on this proposal is due within 24 months of the executive order, effectively setting a mid-2027 deadline for full regulatory integration.

What research and testing will guide the policy change?

To support the FAA’s rulemaking, the executive order tasks the Office of Science and Technology Policy with coordinating all supersonic-related research and development. Working alongside NASA, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Defense, the OSTP will identify gaps in research, align federal funding with private-sector R&D efforts, and ensure standardized testing across accredited federal test sites.

The coordination effort will involve collecting operational and acoustic data from prototype aircraft currently under development, such as Boom Supersonic’s Overture. These insights will then be used to inform aircraft certification procedures, community noise limits, and environmental benchmarks. The OSTP is also expected to facilitate regular data sharing between agencies and industry players, thereby accelerating both regulatory clarity and market readiness for civil supersonic platforms.

How will this affect international aviation policy?

Recognizing that supersonic aviation is inherently global, the order also mandates diplomatic outreach. The Department of Transportation, in coordination with the Secretary of State and OSTP, has been directed to engage with the International Civil Aviation Organization and other multilateral stakeholders. The aim is to harmonize civil supersonic regulations across jurisdictions, reducing the risk of regulatory fragmentation and enabling consistent standards for future international routes.

In parallel, the FAA will pursue bilateral aviation safety agreements with individual countries that are likely to participate in future supersonic corridors. These may include major travel hubs such as the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, and the European Union. The agreements will facilitate the cross-border operation of U.S.-certified supersonic aircraft and establish mutual standards for safety, noise, and emissions.

How is the aviation industry reacting to the U.S. supersonic flight policy change?

Industry players have so far issued no formal responses, but early indications suggest that aerospace manufacturers, venture capital firms, and commercial carriers are closely monitoring the regulatory rollout. Aviation analysts have noted that repealing 14 CFR 91.817 removes the single greatest legal impediment to private-sector investment in supersonic aircraft. The move is expected to trigger renewed interest in funding and prototyping from firms like Lockheed Martin, Boom Supersonic, and even startups in the defense-to-commercial crossover space.

From a policy standpoint, aerospace think tanks have welcomed the strategic clarity offered by the executive order, though they caution that environmental concerns and public consultation must remain central to any implementation effort. Some environmental groups have expressed concern over potential increases in emissions and noise exposure if supersonic airliners are rapidly deployed without robust oversight.

What is the timeline for implementation?

The timeline laid out in the order is structured in three key phases. Within 180 days, the FAA must complete the repeal of 14 CFR 91.817 and issue interim guidance on noise standards. By the 18-month mark, the agency must publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking under 14 CFR Part 36, formally initiating the new noise regulation process. Finally, within 24 months—by mid-2027—the FAA must adopt a final rule governing supersonic operations over land.

These timelines suggest that if aircraft manufacturers align their development roadmaps with the regulatory calendar, initial operational readiness could be achieved by the early 2030s. Some industry insiders believe test flights over land may begin sooner under experimental licenses if interim standards are flexible enough.

What could the future of supersonic air travel look like?

The ultimate goal is to usher in a new era of commercial air travel in which coast-to-coast journeys can be completed in under three hours, and long-haul international flights shrink from 14 hours to less than 7. Initially, supersonic travel is expected to be priced at a premium and serve business travelers, diplomatic missions, and urgent cargo sectors. Over time, as technologies scale and fuel efficiency improves, more cost-effective models could emerge for broader market adoption.

Aircraft currently in development are focusing on “low-boom” design features, fuel optimization, and composite airframe construction to meet evolving climate and community standards. As such, industry and regulators alike are aiming for a supersonic future that is not only faster—but also quieter, safer, and cleaner.