Fuel-Efficient JetZero and Air Force Demonstrator Set to Fly in 2027

On the horizon of its 100th anniversary, Delta Airlines has announced a partnership with JetZero to develop a new sustainable aircraft for domestic and international hauls. The demonstrator, funded by a US Air Force grant, is slated to take flight in 2027.

“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,” explained Tom O’Leary, JetZero’s cofounder and CEO. “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.”

JetZero’s aircraft utilizes a design concept that has been eyed by the industry since the 1990s: the Blended Wing Body (BWB). The structure differs from the standard tube-and-wing airliner in that it combines the wings, engines, and fuselage into a single surface. BWBs have proven their potential to be up to 50 percent more fuel-efficient, quieter, and carry more payload than today’s aircraft. To feed even further into the low-emissions push, JetZero’s aircraft will fly on modern propulsion systems with sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs).

The California-based start-up has already earned widespread industry support, including a $235 million USAF grant in 2023. Northrop Grumman, Scaled Composites, and the FAA have also bid into the project. Delta Airlines has informally backed JetZero since 2021 by providing insight on commercialization tactics and grant applications.

Delta and JetZero’s formal collaboration will be facilitated through the airline’s Sustainable Skies Lab, which was launched in 2023 to foster low-emissions research, design, and testing. The carrier will also work with JetZero to design the aircraft’s interior in a way that maximizes passenger comfort and accessibility.

The recent JetZero partnership is just a small part of Delta’s sustainability effort. The carrier is working to hit net-zero emissions by 2050 through reducing fuel consumption, making fleet modifications like winglets and lightweight landing gear, and on-board weight cuts. Partnering with JetZero marks the fourth ‘revolutionary fleet’ agreement on Delta’s Sustainability Roadmap.

FMI: www.jetzero.aero, www.delta.com