Regulatory Alert: FAA Releases Proposed Rule to Enable Supersonic Flight Over Land
June 30, 2026
Today, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a proposed rule that would rescind the longstanding prohibition on civil supersonic flight over land and allow the next generation of aircraft being developed by companies like Boom to operate at supersonic speeds if certain requirements are met. Specifically, the FAA would allow supersonic flight over land if the operator could demonstrate compliance with an interim en route certification standard that any resulting sonic boom would not reach the surface.
In its proposal, FAA emphasized that technological advances have allowed sonic booms to be mitigated and not reach the surface, enabling FAA to eliminate the longstanding prohibition on supersonic flight over land. However, FAA further noted that today’s proposal is only the first step to removing regulatory barriers that hinder these operations. Of note for airports, FAA indicated in its press release that the agency will be releasing proposed landing and takeoff (LTO) noise certification standards for supersonic aircraft later this year.
FAA plans to publish the proposed rule in the Federal Register soon. Once published, the public will have 45 days to submit comments to FAA. AAAE has been closely following developments with supersonic aircraft in recent years to determine whether there may be any noise impacts for airport operators. We will be working with our members in the weeks ahead to determine whether to file comments.
Background. In 1973, FAA implemented the current rule that prohibits an aircraft from operating at a true flight Mach number greater than 1 (known as “supersonic flight”) over land unless the aircraft is operating in accordance with an FAA-approved special flight authorization (SFA). The purpose of the rule is to protect the public from sonic booms. Although some changes have been made over the years, the existing prohibition against supersonic flight over land has remained in place. In addition, FAA has maintained a general policy that any future supersonic transport airplanes comply with the same noise standards as subsonic aircraft.
Trump Administration on Supersonic Flight. In June 2025, President Trump issued an executive order that directed FAA to take two notable actions. First, FAA must conduct a rulemaking to repeal the existing ban on supersonic flight over land and allow these flights to occur in accordance with an interim noise-based certification standard. The proposal released today is intended to fulfill this directive. Second, FAA must conduct a second rulemaking to establish acceptable noise thresholds for takeoff, landing, and enroute supersonic operation based on operational testing and research, development, testing, and evaluation of data.
FAA’s Proposed Changes to Existing Framework. FAA’s proposal would, if finalized, repeal the 1973 general prohibition on supersonic flight over land and allow this type of operation if three conditions are met. First, the operator would have to satisfy the performance-based interim standard that no sonic boom overpressure at the surface exceeds 0.11 psf. Second, the operator would have to receive a finding from FAA that they comply with that standard. Third, the aircraft would have to be operated in accordance with any other conditions and limitations issued by FAA.
Of note for airports, FAA’s proposed rule does not address LTO standards for supersonic aircraft. Indeed, FAA explained that the agency does not anticipate certifying a supersonic aircraft based on the changes made in the proposal released today. FAA further noted that if it were to receive a type certificate application from a manufacturer prior to promulgating the LTO noise certification standards, FAA would “propose a rule of particular applicability establishing LTO standards for the applicant’s aircraft.” In other words, AAAE and airport operators are expected to have the opportunity to separately comment on any LTO noise standards used for certifying supersonic aircraft.
