Delta Air Lines and sustainable aircraft developer JetZero announced the launch of a new partnership to design new blended-wing aircraft that are up to 50% more fuel efficient than current commercial jets.
Founded in 2021, California-based JetZero is designing a plane that integrates the wings and fuselage into a single smooth shape, reducing aerodynamic drag, and leading to lower fuel needs, emissions and operating costs. The aircraft will be compatible with sustainable aviation fuel and less noisy than conventional planes, JetZero said.
Tom O’Leary, JetZero cofounder and CEO, said:
“JetZero is working to change the world by bringing to market an aircraft that aims to fly this decade and make immediate and marked progress toward reducing airline energy costs, and the associated emissions. The ability to realize such significant efficiency gains in the near future meaningfully impacts the industry’s commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and will serve as the foundation on which other technologies and efficiencies can be realized. Delta was one of the first carriers to partner with us, supporting us behind the scenes since 2023, and we look forward to their continued support of our program through their deep knowledge and expertise.”
The new partnership follows the release by Delta in 2023 of its roadmap to achieve its goals to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and provide more sustainable air travel. Fuel accounts for approximately 98% of airlines’ carbon footprint, and Delta’s roadmap focuses on the evolution of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), as well as on efforts to develop more sustainable aircraft and technologies.
In 2023, the airline also launched Delta Sustainable Skies Lab, an innovation-focused initiative aimed at accelerating research, design and testing for sustainable aviation solutions.
Under the new partnership, Delta will provide technological operational expertise through the Delta Sustainable Skies Lab to help bring the new aircraft to commercial viability. Delta added it will also help design an interior experience for the plane, with the aircraft’s innovative design providing the airline with many options for interior design, seat layout, and other features.
Amelia DeLuca, Delta’s Chief Sustainability Officer, said:
“Working with JetZero to realize an entirely new airframe and experience for customers and employees is bold and important work to advance the airline industry’s fuel saving initiatives and innovation goals. While Delta is focused on doing what we can today to address our carbon footprint, it’s critical we also work with a variety of partners to advance revolutionary technologies, like JetZero’s blended-wing-body aircraft, to solve for a significant portion of future aviation emissions.”
JetZero received a grant from the US Air Force in 2023 to help it build a demonstration plane for a test flight by 2027. Delta has informally partnered with JetZero since 2021 on how to best commercialize the aircraft as part of that grant application. The BWB aircraft can carry more than 250 passengers, JetZero added.
