United Airlines has announced an investment in JetZero’s next-generation blended wing body (BWB) aircraft.
This follows a similar partnership with JetZero by Delta Air Lines.
United’s investment includes a path to order up to 100 JetZero BWB aircraft and an option for an additional 100.
The conditional purchase agreement is based on JetZero achieving development milestones, including flight of a full-scale demonstrator in 2027, among other conditions, including that the aircraft meets United's safety, business and operating requirements.
JetZero's innovative design reduces drag and produces lift across the entire wingspan, which could lead to as much as 50% reduction in fuel burn per passenger mile compared with a similar sized aircraft.
According to United, both the aircraft's shape and the way JetZero plans to enter it into service, address industry pain points.
The design contributes to a more efficient operation due to its shape and the higher altitude at which it will fly.
For instance, a flight from New York/Newark to Palma de Mallorca, Spain, would use up to 45% less fuel compared with the twin-aisle aircraft that operate the route today.
The aircraft is also expected to integrate readily into today's airport infrastructure, requiring no new accommodations for air bridges, runways or taxiways.
The design has the potential to also offer improvements to the passenger experience, such as flexible seating options, larger seats across all classes and dedicated overhead bin space for each seat.
Additionally, the boarding process is streamlined as a main boarding door is wider than that of a comparably sized aircraft, leading to multiple aisles and passenger cabin bays for more efficient passenger distribution.
Accessibility may be further enhanced by featuring wider aisles and handicap-accessible lavatories, creating a comfortable travel environment for passengers and in-flight crew.
