"American Airlines to buy 20 Overture aircraft from Boom Supersonic"
When reading the original title, I had the impression that the company was going to be acquired by AA.
Instead, it's "just" an order of 20 aircrafts.
Note that this is not a new move by Boom, they played this card when raising money when they pitched at YC demo day, and they're doing it again. The problem I have with this is the following:
> agreement to purchase up to 20 Overture aircraft, with an option for an additional 40. American has paid a non-refundable deposit on the initial 20 aircraft
It's "up to 20", and not "20", and there is a non-disclosed non-refundable deposit. If it's a, say, $10,000 per aircraft, total of $200,000 (ouch, should I say... up to $200,000?), it's a just a cheaper ad for AA, and ammo for the CEO when the board asks "where are you innovating?".
Good luck to Boom, but I am unconvinced this is a viable company and a viable business.