Will commercial supersonic ever take off?

The article focuses on the current state and challenges of commercial supersonic air travel development. Several companies, including Boom, Spike, and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, are actively working on supersonic aircraft, with Boom leading progress through its XB-1 prototype and plans for the Overture airliner targeting transoceanic routes. However, economic viability remains uncertain due to high operating costs, limited passenger capacity, and the premium pricing likely required, which may restrict market demand. The closure of Exosonic, a startup pursuing quiet supersonic flight and drones, highlights the financial and customer support difficulties in this sector. Lockheed Martin’s X-59 project focuses on reducing sonic booms to enable supersonic flight over land, primarily for research purposes.