# Boeing's Sonic Cruiser was designed to fly just below the speed of sound while carrying a typical widebody passenger load.

*aerospace · news · 2026-04-28 · Simple Flying*

## Key points

- Boeing's Sonic Cruiser was designed to fly at Mach 0.95-0.98, about 15-20% faster than typical airliners.
- The Sonic Cruiser would have used 60-70% advanced composite materials, unprecedented for commercial jets in the early 2000s.
- Airlines rejected the Sonic Cruiser due to higher expected fuel costs and limited demand for faster flight.
- Technologies from the Sonic Cruiser directly influenced the design and development of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

**Companies:** Boeing
**Countries:** United States

[Read the full story on Simple Flying](https://simpleflying.com/boeing-sonic-cruiser-replaced-by-787/)

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