That ban was implemented more than 50 years ago in 1973, over public complaints about the incredibly loud noise made by these planes, which broke the sound barrier while flying at speeds of over 1,500 mph. The sonic boom created by a supersonic aircraft could be as loud as 110 dB on the ground, similar to a car horn blaring at close range.

Lifting the ban could significantly speed up air travel. For reference, British Airways' Concorde holds the record for the fastest transatlantic passenger aircraft crossing, going from London to New York in under 3 hours – a trip that usually takes 8-9 hours.