There is a probability that some damage—shattered glass, for example—will result from a sonic boom. Buildings in good condition should suffer no damage by pressures of 530 Pa (11 psf) or less. And, typically, community exposure to sonic boom is below 100 Pa (2 psf).

A sonic boom is a significant problem for the aviation industry, as it is the primary reason why commercial supersonic flight is currently prohibited over land in most countries. When an aircraft travels faster than the speed of sound (Mach 1), it creates shock waves that merge into a single thunderous "boom" that can shatter glass, disturb wildlife, and cause significant noise pollution for residents on the ground. This led to the famous Concorde being restricted to supersonic speeds only while over the ocean. In 2026, NASA and private startups like Boom Supersonic are testing "Quiet SuperSonic Technology" (QueSST) via the X-59 aircraft. This experimental design aims to turn the loud boom into a "sonic thump" or "heartbeat"—a much quieter sound roughly equivalent to a car door closing. If successful, this could lead to a change in FAA and international regulations, allowing the next generation of supersonic airliners to fly at high speeds over land. Until then, the sonic boom remains a major regulatory and environmental hurdle that limits supersonic travel to specific trans-oceanic "corridors."