Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to allow civil aircraft to operate at speeds above Mach 1 (i.e., supersonic) over land in the United States under certain conditions. Specifically, the FAA must issue or revise regulations to allow for the operation of civil aircraft at speeds greater than Mach 1 in the national airspace system without a special authorization, so long as no sonic boom reaches the ground in the United States. The FAA must also issue a final rule to establish noise standards that prohibit civil aircraft operating at
Summary by the Congressional Research Service, from the official record. Plain-language version below. Not legal advice.
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1Short title
This section says the Act's short name would be the Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act.
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Official text, verbatim from the record
1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act .
2Allowing for the operation of civil supersonic flight
This section would require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, within 1 year after the Act becomes law, to issue new regulations or revise existing ones, such as section 91.817 of part 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, so that civil aircraft (aircraft as defined in section 40102(16) of title 49, United States Code) could fly faster than Mach 1 in the national airspace system without needing special authorization. This permission would apply only so long as the aircraft is operated in a way that keeps any sonic boom from reaching the ground anywhere in the United States.
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Official text, verbatim from the record
2. Allowing for the operation of civil supersonic flight
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall issue or revise such regulations, such as section 91.817 of part 14, Code of Federal Regulations, as are necessary to allow for the operation of civil aircraft (as defined in section 40102(16) of title 49, United States Code) without special authorization within the national airspace system at a Mach number greater than 1 so long as the aircraft is operated in such a manner that no sonic boom reaches the ground in the United States.
The on-site text is shown verbatim from the GovInfo publication, captured 2026-07-23. The same version at GovInfo.
The numbers
29%
of bills that passed one chamber became law in the 118th Congress, 2023 to 2024 (n=939)
11
sponsors, out of 218 needed to pass
Who is lobbying on this
AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA INCvia AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, INC.
6 filings
AIR TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, INC. (D/B/A AIRLINES FOR AMERICA)via AIR TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, INC. (D/B/A AIRLINES FOR AMERICA)
5 filings
BOOM TECHNOLOGY, INC.via BOOM TECHNOLOGY, INC.
3 filings
HERMEUS CORP.via HERMEUS CORP.
3 filings
HERMEUS CORPORATIONvia HOLLAND & KNIGHT LLP
3 filings
AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATIONvia AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION
2 filings
BOOM TECHNOLOGYvia RED CARR LLC
2 filings
EARTHJUSTICE ACTIONvia EARTHJUSTICE ACTION
2 filings
From 29 filings in federal lobbying disclosures (LDA), via lda.gov, naming this bill (2025 to 2026). Filings are self-reported by lobbying firms and show who is paid to influence this bill. They do not say which side, or whether it worked.
Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record. Last action: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (2026-03-25).