Boom Supersonic, the company building the world’s fastest airliner, has revealed a refined design of its Overture jet, which is set to take the skies with United Airlines in 2029 at twice the speed of today’s airliners and running on 100% sustainable aviation fuel.

The updated design will see Overture carrying 65-80 passengers at a speed of Mach 1.7 over water with a range of 4,250 nautical miles.

Boom Founder and CEO Blake Scholl, said this week’s reveal of Overture at the Farnborough International Airshow is the culmination of 26 million core-hours of simulated software designs, five wind tunnel tests, and the careful evaluation of 51 full design iterations, resulting in an economically and environmentally sustainable supersonic airliner.

“Aviation has not seen a giant leap in decades,” he said. “Overture is revolutionary in its design, and it will fundamentally change how we think about distance.

“With more than 600 routes across the globe, Overture will make the world dramatically more accessible for tens of millions of passengers.”

He said with this updated configuration and a new, four-engine design, Boom combines a number of engineering innovations in aerodynamics, noise reduction, and overall performance.

“Overture will be powered by four powerful, wing-mounted engines that enable the airliner to cruise at Mach 1.7 over water and just under Mach 1 over land,” he said. “Additionally, the four-engine design reduces noise while also decreasing costs for airline operators. Engine placement was selected to conform to the strictest passenger safety requirements.

The updated Overture also has a much quieter operation, ideal for residential areas near airports.

“On take-off, Overture will use the world’s first automated noise reduction system,” he said. “The airliner will fly without afterburners, meeting the same strict regulatory noise levels as the latest subsonic airplanes.

“These noise reduction efforts will deliver a quieter experience both for passengers and airport communities.”

United Airlines has committed to purchasing 15 of Boom’s Overture aircraft, which will take to the skies from 2029.

“United continues on its trajectory to build a more innovative, sustainable airline and today’s advancements in technology are making it more viable for that to include supersonic planes,” said United Airlines CEO, Scott Kirby.

“Boom’s vision for the future of commercial aviation, combined with the industry’s most robust route network in the world, will give business and leisure travellers access to a stellar flight experience.

“Our mission has always been about connecting people and now working with Boom, we’ll be able to do that on an even greater scale,” he said.

Kirby said United will purchase 15 of Boom’s Overture airliners, once Overture meets United’s demanding safety, operating and sustainability requirements, with an option for 35 more aircraft.