American Airlines Stunts With 20 Boom Supersonic Jets
American Airlines is drunk and high at the same time, drinking champagne on the airplane! American Airlines goes big on big and agrees to buy 20 planes from Boom Technology, Inc. Although the specific supersonic jets aren’t in production as of now, American Airlines put an initial deposit down on 20 of the aircraft (known as the Overture), with the option to purchase 40 more. BIG ON BIG. There are no specific details on the transaction, other than the fact that it happened.
Boom Technology is a private company headquartered in Denver, Colorado. They’ve designed a Mach 1.7, 65-68 passenger supersonic plane. Dude’s are quite literally going supersonic. For reference, Mach 1.7 is 1,800 km/h, which is ~2 times the speed of normal planes at cruising speed. Imagine going places twice as fast? I’d be down. Boom Technology raised $51 Million in venture capital funds in 2017, and $100 Million in January 2019.
American Airlines isn’t the only airliner that has already made some agreement for the potential purchase of the Overture jets. United Airlines made a similar agreement with Boom last year for 15 of the supersonic jets.
The company’s “superfactory” in Greensboro, NC will serve as a test facility for its first Overturn in production; their “iron bird.” It will serve as a model for testing of components, systems, software, and hardware.
Personally, I’d love to see this come to fruition. This would add some very much needed zest to the boring and outdated airline industry. Not to mention that currently flying anywhere is quite literally an impossible feat. Although the current situation amongst the airline industry is dark & gloomy, American Airlines has fared (pun intended) quite well so far this year financially, although the stock performance has suggested otherwise.
This will be an interesting story that plays out. Frustrated investors are watching the largest airliner make an offer for supersonic jets on an undisclosed cost basis. LET”S TURN TO THE 10-Q. This will be a fun one to watch. As it currently stands, I’m team Boom Supersonic, baby.