Supersonic airliner in doubt as company shifts to powering AI data centers

Boom Supersonic CEO Blake Scholl has announced the opening of a plant in Colorado to produce gas turbines for powering AI data centers, citing a supposed “renaissance” in both energy and supersonic flight. The initiative, however, appears to be facing setbacks as the company’s early investors and partners are reassessing their commitments. In a recent interview on the Office Hours: Business Edition podcast, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby expressed skepticism about Boom’s original schedule to deliver the Overture supersonic aircraft in 2029, stating that the date will be postponed. Kirby emphasized that the company’s announced deadline will not be met and that the project will require more time than anticipated. This uncertainty comes as Boom redirects some of its resources toward manufacturing equipment for data centers—a sector that demands large amounts of energy and is growing rapidly.

The story is significant because it questions the near‑term viability of commercial supersonic flight and illustrates how high‑tech firms can pivot their strategies in response to emerging markets such as AI computing. It also underscores the importance of meeting announced timelines to maintain the confidence of key partners in large‑scale projects.

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