American Airlines Orders 20 Supersonic Jets [VIDEO]

The Verge reports:

American Airlines announced Tuesday that it has placed an order for up to 20 supersonic aircraft from Boom Supersonic, with an option for an additional 40 jets. American is the second major airline to bet on the return of ultra-fast air travel in just two years.

The amount of money exchanging hands was not disclosed, but American said the deposit on the 20 initial aircraft was nonrefundable.

That agreement, though, is still subject to change depending on the outcome of American’s safety testing and also Boom’s ability to deliver on its promises despite never having built or flown a full-scale supersonic jet before.

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United ordered 15 of the jets last year, at which time the New York Times noted that Boom must overcome “many obstacles” to win approval from the FAA.

The last supersonic commercial flight took place in 2003, after which British Airways retired its Concorde fleet.