For decades, American presidents have relied on Boeing aircraft for their official travels. This long-standing partnership will continue, but with an upgrade—after years of service, the Boeing 747-200 currently used as Air Force One is set to be replaced by the more modern Boeing 747-8I.
However, this transition has not been without controversy. President Donald Trump has a major dispute with Boeing over delays and cost overruns in the program, pushing back the first flight of the new presidential jet to 2026.
Amid these delays, another idea has surfaced: could Air Force One go supersonic?
Blake Scholl, CEO of Boom Supersonic, has suggested that the next-generation presidential aircraft should embrace supersonic travel.
With Boom’s Overture jet being the only viable option currently under development, and cost concerns seemingly less of an issue, the idea has gained some traction.
But is a supersonic Air Force One truly realistic, or just an ambitious dream?
Air Force One Is Getting an Upgrade—But Not Without Problems
The United States presidential aircraft, commonly known as Air Force One, is currently based on the Boeing 747-200 (VC-25A).
These aircraft have been in service since the early 1990s and are due for replacement.
The program to replace them, called VC-25B, will introduce two modified Boeing 747-8I aircraft, a newer version of the jumbo jet.
However, this program has faced significant cost overruns and delays, pushing the estimated delivery of the new planes to 2027 or 2028.
A Presidential Jet That Breaks the Sound Barrier?
While the new Air Force One is still based on a subsonic aircraft, there has been growing interest in making a future presidential plane supersonic.
The idea gained attention when Boom Supersonic, a U.S.-based aviation company, presented a model of its Overture jet to former President Donald Trump.
Boom’s CEO, Blake Scholl, suggested that Air Force One should embrace supersonic technology, arguing that cost should no longer be a barrier.
Scholl even posted on his social media that “Air Force One should be supersonic,” further fueling speculation and debate on the feasibility of such a project.
Air Force One should be supersonic.
Xi can keep his 747-8. pic.twitter.com/KA30BVy7x4
— Blake Scholl 🛫 (@bscholl) February 12, 2025
Meet the Company Trying to Bring Back Supersonic Travel
Boom Supersonic is developing a commercial supersonic airliner called Overture.
This aircraft is designed to carry 64 to 80 passengers at speeds of Mach 1.7 (about 1,300 mph), which is more than twice the speed of today’s commercial airliners.
If successful, it would reduce flight times dramatically, with a New York to London trip taking just 3.5 hours instead of the current 8-hour journey.
To test its technology, Boom has already built a smaller prototype called the XB-1, which successfully broke the sound barrier in early 2025.
The company aims to begin commercial flights with Overture by 2029, with major airlines such as American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines already placing pre-orders.
Supersonic Air Force One: Is It Even Possible?
While Overture could make a compelling case for the next generation of Air Force One, several challenges would need to be addressed:
- Range and Fuel Efficiency: Supersonic jets typically consume more fuel than subsonic ones. A presidential aircraft needs the ability to fly long distances non-stop, often over 7,000 miles. Overture’s range is expected to be around 4,250 miles, which may not be sufficient for global presidential travel without multiple refueling stops.
- Security and Modifications: Air Force One is heavily modified with advanced security, defense systems, and communications technology. Any supersonic presidential aircraft would need similar upgrades, which could further increase development time and costs.
- Noise and Regulations: One of the major problems with supersonic travel is the sonic boom—a loud noise created when an aircraft exceeds the speed of sound. Currently, most countries, including the U.S., ban supersonic flights over land due to noise concerns. If a supersonic Air Force One were developed, new regulations would need to be considered.
The Next Era of Supersonic Flight Is Closer Than You Think
Regardless of whether Air Force One becomes supersonic, the return of supersonic passenger travel seems inevitable.
Boom’s Overture is just one of several projects aiming to bring back high-speed commercial aviation.
NASA and Lockheed Martin are working on the X-59, a supersonic aircraft designed to minimize the sonic boom.
Meanwhile, other companies are exploring hypersonic aircraft, which could travel at speeds above Mach 5.
My opinion: Will We Ever See a Supersonic Air Force One?
While the idea of a supersonic Air Force One is exciting, I believe it is unlikely to happen in the near future.
The primary reasons are the aircraft’s limited range, the immense fuel costs, and the security concerns.
Additionally, the current regulatory environment does not favor supersonic travel over land, which would limit Air Force One’s operational flexibility.
That said, if Boom or another company can develop a supersonic jet with greater range, improved fuel efficiency, and quieter sonic booms, the possibility becomes more realistic.
However, this would likely take another decade or more to materialize.
Given that Boom expects to launch Overture flights in 2029, even if everything goes according to plan, a supersonic Air Force One would likely not be feasible until well into the 2030s or later.
Conclusion
For now, the next Air Force One will remain a Boeing 747-8I, not a supersonic jet. However, as supersonic technology advances and costs become more manageable, future presidential aircraft could adopt high-speed travel.
Whether Overture or a future supersonic aircraft takes on this role remains to be seen, but the idea is no longer just speculation—it is becoming a real possibility for the coming decades.
