HOUSE APPROVES SUPERSONIC CIVIL FLIGHT LEGISLATION
April 24, 2026
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On March 24, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the so-called Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act which could expedite coast-to-coast air travel if enacted into law. The Act, as proposed, would overturn the FAA’s longstanding ban on supersonic civil flights over the United States and allow for the operation of civil aviation aircraft at speeds of Mach 1 or higher under certain conditions. The Act would effectively codify President Trump’s “Leading The World in Supersonic Flight” executive order from last year in which the FAA was directed to revise existing regulations to accommodate new supersonic technologies preventing sonic booms from reaching the ground. The FAA could also be tasked with establishing new noise standards to implement innovative aircraft noise reduction technology and integrate evolving global regulatory standards for civil supersonic flight. Following passage in the House, the Act will now be considered by the U.S. Senate before it can be signed into law by President Trump, paving the way for the first supersonic flights over the United States since 1973.
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