Podcast Summary: Odd Lots – "The Company That Wants To Bring Back Supersonic Jet Travel"

Introduction to Supersonic Revival

In the June 26, 2025 episode of Bloomberg's Odd Lots podcast, hosts Joe Weisenthal and Tracy Alloway delve into the ambitious endeavor of resurrecting supersonic commercial jet travel. This episode spotlights Boom Supersonic, a pioneering company aiming to reintroduce flying faster than the speed of sound for commercial passengers. Joining the hosts is Blake Scholl, the founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, who provides insider insights into the company's vision, challenges, and progress.

Historical Context and Decline of Supersonic Travel

The conversation begins with a nostalgic reflection on the legacy of the Concorde, the iconic supersonic passenger jet that ceased operations in the early 2000s. Tracy Alloway reminisces, “When people think of the Concorde, they think of luxury air travel and I guess advanced technology too” ([02:58]). Joe Weisenthal expresses disappointment over the stagnation in civil aviation, noting that while Boeing’s capacity to produce existing planes has degraded, “we haven't really made much progress, like we're not at the cutting edge, we're like going backwards” ([03:50]).

Introducing Blake Scholl and Boom Supersonic

Blake Scholl enters the discussion with a confident assertion of Boom’s accomplishments: “We've built and flown, actually the first ever civil supersonic jet made in America” ([05:33]). He emphasizes that Boom is the first private company to achieve this feat, with major airlines like United, American, and Japan Airlines already on board with preorders for their supersonic aircraft, the Overture Airliner.

Lessons from Concorde’s Failure

When questioned about the financial viability of Boom’s approach compared to the Concorde’s historical struggles, Scholl explains, “Concorde killed supersonic flight. I think Apollo killed space exploration” ([07:00]). He critiques the centrally planned nature of Concorde’s development, highlighting its inefficiencies and lack of market viability. Scholl argues that Boom is taking a different route by focusing on market-driven development rather than government-mandated specifications.

Boom’s Distinct Business Model

Tracy Alloway probes Boom’s business strategy, questioning whether operating solely as an aerospace manufacturer rather than an airline is sustainable. Scholl responds, “Everybody wants faster flights so long as they are affordable and comfortable and safe” ([11:26]). Boom aims to target business class passengers, a segment that represents about 80% of international airline profits. By offering a 60 to 80-seat supersonic jet priced around $5,000 per business class fare, Boom seeks to make supersonic travel accessible without the exorbitant costs that plagued Concorde.

Manufacturing and Vertical Integration

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on Boom's manufacturing strategy. Scholl shares, “We're going to buy the machine and make these things ourselves” ([24:29]), illustrating Boom’s approach to vertical integration. By producing key components in-house, such as turbine blades using their own 3D printing technology, Boom reduces dependency on traditional, slow, and costly supply chains. This strategy mirrors SpaceX’s efficient manufacturing model, enabling rapid iteration and cost savings.

Overcoming Supply Chain Inefficiencies

Scholl elaborates on the challenges of the existing aerospace supply chain, attributing inefficiencies to “politically optimized, really, Congress professionally optimized supply chains” ([24:33]). By consolidating production processes and removing unnecessary geographical dispersal, Boom achieves significant time and cost reductions. This streamlined approach allows Boom to maintain control over quality and timelines, crucial for the successful deployment of their supersonic jets.

Financing and Capital Efficiency

Addressing the daunting financial requirements of developing supersonic aircraft, Scholl highlights Boom’s capital efficiency: “We did the XB1 airplane for less than $200 million” ([16:50]). Compared to traditional aerospace projects that can exceed $10 billion, Boom's innovative methods have enabled them to remain financially feasible. Scholl anticipates needing between $1 to $3 billion to fully develop and deploy their airliners, emphasizing preorders and strategic partnerships with airlines to secure funding.

Regulatory Navigation and FAA Collaboration

Navigating the complex regulatory landscape is another critical aspect of Boom’s journey. Scholl praises their cooperative approach with the FAA: “We said, let me tell you what we're doing. We'd love to get your input” ([31:35]). By building trust and maintaining open communication, Boom avoids the prolonged approval delays that have historically hindered aerospace advancements. This proactive engagement with regulators ensures a smoother certification process for their supersonic jets.

Customer Demand and Airline Partnerships

The guest underlines the robust demand for faster travel among business travelers. “Our passenger research says that 87% of people who fly first year business internationally today would switch airlines in order to access supersonic flights” ([47:45]). This high level of interest is reflected in the preorders from major airlines, providing a strong market foundation for Boom’s Overture Airliner.

Technological Advancements Since Concorde

Scholl discusses the technological advancements that make Boom’s aircraft more viable than Concorde. Utilizing carbon fiber composites allows for complex aerodynamic shapes, improving efficiency by about 20%. Additionally, modern turbofan engines offer greater fuel efficiency and reduced noise compared to the afterburner-equipped engines of the Concorde ([44:57]). Computational tools and virtual wind tunnels have also accelerated design iterations, contributing to overall aerodynamic and engine efficiency improvements.

Future Outlook and Timeline

Looking ahead, Boom plans to transition from prototype to production with the first Overture Airliner expected to begin test flights within the next three years. Scholl reveals, “We expect to be ready to carry passengers by the end of '29” ([18:11]). This timeline is ambitious yet achievable, leveraging their current progress and ongoing partnerships with airlines.

Policy Implications and Manufacturing Challenges

Tracy Alloway raises concerns about broader manufacturing barriers in the U.S., such as regulatory red tape hindering innovation. Scholl concurs, stating, “The regulatory environment, both federal and state and local, just adds cost and time” ([36:54]). He cites delays in obtaining building permits and conducting environmental impact studies as examples of unnecessary obstacles that impede manufacturing progress. Scholl advocates for streamlined processes to foster American manufacturing dynamism.

Conclusion: A Promising Path Forward

The episode concludes with a hopeful outlook as Blake Scholl invites the hosts to witness Boom’s progress firsthand, highlighting the company’s potential to revolutionize commercial aviation. Joe Weisenthal reflects on the transformative possibilities of supersonic travel, while Tracy Alloway emphasizes the critical factors of operating costs and market demand that will determine Boom’s success.

Notable Quotes:

• Tracy Alloway ([02:58]): “When people think of the Concorde, they think of luxury air travel and I guess advanced technology too.”
• Joe Weisenthal ([03:50]): “We haven't really made much progress, like we're not at the cutting edge, we're like going backwards.”
• Blake Scholl ([05:33]): “We've built and flown, actually the first ever civil supersonic jet made in America.”
• Blake Scholl ([07:00]): “Concorde killed supersonic flight. I think Apollo killed space exploration.”
• Blake Scholl ([11:26]): “Everybody wants faster flights so long as they are affordable and comfortable and safe.”
• Blake Scholl ([24:29]): “We're going to buy the machine and make these things ourselves.”
• Blake Scholl ([31:35]): “We said, let me tell you what we're doing. We'd love to get your input.”
• Blake Scholl ([47:45]): “Our passenger research says that 87% of people who fly first year business internationally today would switch airlines in order to access supersonic flights.”
• Blake Scholl ([44:57]): “We've got new materials, we've got better aerodynamics, we've got better engines, we've got software everywhere.”

Final Thoughts

Boom Supersonic is charting a bold course to redefine air travel, drawing lessons from past failures and leveraging modern technology to create a viable market for supersonic jets. With strong airline partnerships, innovative manufacturing strategies, and proactive regulatory engagement, Boom aims to make supersonic travel both accessible and profitable, heralding a new era in commercial aviation.