Will Supersonic Passenger Flights Resume by 2030?

Australia’s Aviation Future Takes Off as Airbus Begins 22-Hour A350-1000ULR Test Mission and Reveals What Others Are Missing About the Next Era of Nonstop Travel - Travel And Tour World

Airbus is conducting a near-22-hour A350-1000ULR certification flight to Australia (MSN707) in late July 2026 as part of a 75–80 hour test campaign, a key step toward Qantas’ Project Sunrise and nonstop Sydney–London/ Sydney–New York services planned from 2027, while the program also serves as a flying research platform to validate ultra-long-range capabilities, cabin and fuel systems, and end-to-end operations for future direct global connections.

NASA's X-59: Breaking Barriers with Quiet Supersonic Flights (2026)

NASA’s X-59 QueSST is advancing quiet supersonic travel by reaching Mach 1.4 at 55,000 feet in tests, using a unique design to minimize shockwaves and produce a “quiet sonic thump” to enable over-land flights, with NASA’s Quesst program planning community feedback flights to assess public perception as it nears potential commercial deployment and broader implications for travel, regulation, and equity.

NASA's X-59: A Quiet Supersonic Revolution (2026)

NASA’s X-59 is advancing toward a quieter supersonic era by reaching Mach 1.4 at 55,000 feet without a traditional sonic boom, testing alongside a sonic-boom-producing aircraft to validate noise-cancellation data, and paving the way for the Quesst mission over populated areas to gather public feedback on the “quiet sonic thump” and its potential to enable faster, more environmentally conscious supersonic travel.

Husein Sastranegara Airport Reopens: Super Air Jet Launches 8 New Routes - Newsy Today

Super Air Jet will resume Bandung’s Husein Sastranegara (BDO) operations with eight new routes to Medan, Pekanbaru, Padang, Batam, Pontianak, Balikpapan, Makassar, and Denpasar, all using Airbus A320-200s to connect West Java residents with key national growth, tourism, and education hubs.

Much-delayed 737 Max 7 certification looms as Boeing's commercial programs advance - Leeham News and Analysis

Boeing is nearing FAA type certification for the 737 Max 7 (likely before Farnborough), with substantial flight/ground-test hours completed and final safety and anti-ice system issues being resolved, while the 737 Max 10 is also close to certification with an enhanced angle-of-attack system and renewed emphasis on its strong sales potential, and the 777-9 remains on track for 2027 delivery after completing about halfway through its flight-test program and TIAs, though ETOPS certification remains to be demonstrated.

Boeing Reveals Major 737 MAX and 777-9 Certification Breakthrough - Aviation A2Z

Boeing reports major certification progress for the 737-7, 737-10, and 777-9: the 737-7 is about 95% through certification with flight testing complete and final documentation underway, the 737-10 is in the final certification phase with ~98% flight testing finished and ongoing DARs and system safety work, and the 777-9 continues toward first deliveries in 2027 with remaining TIAs and ETOPS approvals while DARs and safety analyses proceed.

Qantas Unveils Revolutionary Nonstop Sydney to London Flights: Inside the Custom A350-1000ULR Jet (2026)

Qantas is developing nonstop Sydney-to-London flights using 12 modified Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft with extended range and extra fuel tanks, carrying about 238 passengers in a bid to redefine ultra-long-haul travel, prioritize passenger well-being with wellness zones and lighting to combat jet lag, and potentially signal a broader push toward direct long-haul routes (and future Sydney-to-New York) that could reshape industry dynamics while raising questions about cost, environmental impact, and whether the experience will justify premium pricing.

NASA X-59 Quiet Supersonic Plane: First Flight, SpaceX Starship Grounded, and More Science Stories (2026)

NASA’s X-59 is advancing toward its first supersonic flight to demonstrate a quiet sonic boom while aiming for Mach 1.4–1.6 at higher altitudes, signaling a potential revolution in civilian supersonic travel, and SpaceX’s Starship faced FAA grounding after a mishap during its first test flight, triggering an ongoing investigation.

Tests advance for the first commercial airplane capable of flying anywhere in the world nonstop: it will change aviation forever

Airbus’s A350-1000ULR completed tests to become the world’s most capable commercial aircraft, enabling nonstop world-wide flights over 18,000 km (with 20+ hour ranges) and potentially connecting major cities without layovers, promising shorter travel times, lower emissions, and greater passenger comfort.

Airbus Nears Two A330neo Orders From Flynas and Condor Ahead of Farnborough Airshow - Bolt Flight

Airbus is nearing two major A330neo orders ahead of Farnborough: Flynas is close to ordering eight A330-900s and Condor is negotiating six more, boosting Airbus’ widebody backlog as both airlines pursue fleet expansion and efficiency for international growth.