Supersonic Travel Makes a Comeback Decades after the Concorde made its last flight, companies like Boom Supersonic are working on aircraft that can safely and efficiently transport civilians at speeds exceeding Mach 1, the point at which an object moves faster than the speed of sound.

As of early 2026, civilians cannot yet fly on commercial supersonic airliners, but we are on the precipice of a new era. Since the Concorde was retired in 2003, supersonic travel has been largely limited to military pilots. However, companies like Boom Supersonic are currently flight-testing their "Overture" prototypes, with the goal of returning supersonic passenger service to the skies by the late 2020s (estimated 2029). While you can't book a ticket on a regular airline yet, a very wealthy civilian could technically experience supersonic flight through specialized private military-style training programs or "adventure travel" companies like Incredible Adventures, which occasionally offer flights in Cold War-era fighter jets in specific jurisdictions. For the general public in 2026, the wait continues, but recent FAA regulatory changes regarding "low-boom" technology are quickly paving the way for the return of Mach-speed travel.