The American Concorde may fly you from New York to London in just 3.5 hours without the dreaded sonic boom, but tickets will be more expensive than first class, as the supersonic aircraft is expected to consume seven times more fuel than today’s planes.

As Boom Supersonic’s Overture aircraft promises to whisk passengers from New York to London in a mere 3.5 hours, it’s essential to consider the environmental implications of such high-speed travel. Studies indicate that the Overture may consume between two to three times more fuel per passenger than a first-class seat on today’s most efficient long-haul aircraft. When compared to economy class travel, this consumption could rise to five to seven times more fuel per passenger-mile. — luxurylaunches.com

To mitigate its environmental impact, Boom Supersonic plans to power the Overture with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). However, current global SAF production represents less than 0.1% of jet fuel demand, and even with ambitious growth projections, production capacity is expected to remain inadequate for decades. theconversation.com

While the Overture aims to revolutionize air travel with unprecedented speed, addressing its fuel consumption and environmental impact remains a significant challenge.

The American Concorde: The Supersonic Jet That Drinks Fuel Like a Frat Bro on Spring Break

A Supersonic Dream … Fueled by a Supersonic Thirst

Boom Supersonic has unveiled the Overture, a state-of-the-art aircraft designed to zip across the Atlantic at speeds faster than your average airline’s Wi-Fi outage. Promising to cut New York-to-London travel time down to a mere 3.5 hours, it’s the kind of technology that makes billionaires giddy and environmentalists clutch their reusable metal straws in horror.

According to studies, the Overture is expected to guzzle fuel at a rate two to three times higher per passenger than even the most extravagant first-class seating on modern airliners. And compared to economy class? The numbers skyrocket to five to seven times the fuel burn per passenger-mile. That’s right—while a budget airline forces you to pay for an extra carry-on, the Overture just says, “What if we burned all the oil left in Texas just so Chad can land in London before his espresso cools?”

Sustainable Jet Fuel: The Unicorn of Aviation

To quell any concerns that Overture might single-handedly accelerate climate change to the point where Florida becomes Atlantis, Boom Supersonic has announced that it will run exclusively on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). You know, that mythical substance that’s currently about as abundant as honest politicians.

The global production of SAF currently accounts for less than 0.1% of the world’s total jet fuel consumption. If SAF were a rock band, it would be the one playing in your cousin’s garage, while traditional jet fuel headlines stadium tours. Even with aggressive expansion, industry experts say it will take decades before SAF production meets demand. So, for now, Boom’s plan appears to be “We’ll just pretend there’s enough SAF, and if we run out, we’ll just switch to dinosaur juice like everybody else.”

First-Class Speed, Economy-Class Logic

Boom promises that Overture tickets will be “affordable,” which is the same word rich people use when they claim their summer homes are “modest.” The estimated ticket price is expected to be around $5,000 per seat—which, to be fair, is a steal if you consider how much people are paying for slightly more legroom and a whisper of dignity on existing airlines.

But don’t worry! This isn’t just for billionaires—Boom insists that its goal is to make supersonic travel accessible to everyone. That is, assuming “everyone” is defined as hedge fund managers, oil tycoons, and that guy who charges $30 for a blue checkmark.

The Future of Flight… or Just a Faster Way to Complain About Delays?

For all its promises, Overture’s most realistic future might be as the world’s fastest way to sit on a tarmac for an hour while waiting for takeoff clearance. Because even if you can cross the Atlantic in 3.5 hours, it still won’t save you from TSA making you take your shoes off at security.

As one skeptical traveler put it:
“I don’t care if it flies at Mach 1.7—if my checked bag still ends up in Milwaukee when I land in London, what’s the point?”

In the meantime, airline executives remain optimistic about the future of supersonic travel. And by “optimistic,” we mean, they’re thrilled to charge people $5000 for a flight that burns through enough fuel to make a Hummer look like a Prius.

But don’t worry—at least Boom Overture is moving us closer to the dream of guilt-free speed. After all, with just a few trillion dollars in SAF investments and several minor technological miracles, we can all live in a world where crossing the ocean is as effortless as ignoring climate reports.

Until then, expect Boom’s Overture to remain the ultimate paradox: a plane that travels at supersonic speed—while waiting decades for a fuel supply that keeps up.

15 Humorous Observations About the American Concorde

• The Boom Overture doesn’t burn fuel—it chugs it like a NASCAR driver at a Monster Energy chugging contest.

• It’s the only airplane where the safety demonstration includes a disclaimer: “By boarding this flight, you acknowledge that the price of oil just went up.”

• Supersonic travel means you’ll get to your destination before your checked luggage even takes off.

• The Overture is so fast that by the time your in-flight movie starts, you’re already landing. Hope you like short films!

• Boom promises sustainability with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel, which is like promising a diet of 100% organic unicorn meat.

• It flies at Mach 1.7, meaning turbulence will still exist—it’ll just slap you in the face faster.

• Boom’s business model is “affordable supersonic travel for everyone,” where “everyone” is defined as “people who think a $5,000 flight is a good deal.”

• It’s so fast that for the first time in airline history, you might actually land before your in-flight Wi-Fi connects.

• The Overture is expected to be twice as efficient as Concorde—which is like bragging that your new car is “twice as reliable as that exploding Ford Pinto.”

• Environmentalists say it’ll burn up to seven times more fuel per passenger than economy class. Boom responded by saying, “Well, we never said it was economy-friendly.”

• If you thought regular jet lag was bad, imagine crossing five time zones so fast your watch has an existential crisis.

• Boom executives say the jet will make global travel more convenient—assuming you can conveniently afford it.

• For passengers paying $5,000 for a ticket, there’s a very exclusive amenity: a slightly bigger seat and the smug satisfaction of feeling superior to regular business class flyers.

• The Overture will be the fastest way to fly… right up until you land and spend 45 minutes waiting for a gate to open.

• With all the extra fuel burned per flight, Boom should just embrace it and add a real “first-class” perk: a personal oil rig for every passenger.