How Delta is Supporting a New Highly Efficient Aircraft
Delta Air Lines has announced a partnership with startup JetZero to develop a highly fuel-efficient blended-wing-body (BWB) aircraft.
This collaboration aims to transform air travel by introducing an innovative design that could dramatically reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
“Working with JetZero to realise 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,” says Amelia DeLuca, Delta’s Chief Sustainability Officer.
“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.”
Blended-wing-body aircraft
The BWB aircraft represents a departure from traditional tube-and-wing designs, offering a different shape that promises to deliver environmental improvements.
The design was first tested by NASA and Stanford University in the 1990s and was demonstrated to be safe and efficient.
JetZero and Delta hope to bring this aircraft design forwards and bring a number of key benefits for the environment and consumers, including:
- Up to 50% improved fuel efficiency compared to current aircraft
- Capacity for more than 250 passengers, comparable to existing widebody aircraft
- Significantly reduced noise levels due to top-mounted engines
- Compatibility with existing airport infrastructure
- Faster turnaround times
- Capability to use sustainable aviation fuel.
The BWB concept can reduce drag, provide more lifting surface area and ensure even load and lift distribution.
Delta and JetZero
Delta's partnership with JetZero is part of the airline's broader commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
As a member of Delta's Sustainable Skies Lab, JetZero will benefit from the airline's operational expertise and industry-leading practices.
“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,” says Tom O’Leary, JetZero’s Co-Founder and CEO.
“The ability to realise 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 realised.”
The partnership extends beyond technological development, with Delta also contributing to the interior design of the aircraft.
Timeline and support
Delta’s formal partnership with JetZero comes after the start-up received a grant from the US Air Force in 2023.
This grant is to help facilitate building a full-scale demonstrator for first flight in 2027.
Delta says it will play a crucial role in the development by providing operational expertise to help make this technology viable.
Tom says: “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 programme through their deep knowledge and expertise.”
Amelia said on LinkedIn: “Partnering with innovators like JetZero, who are advancing the industry at speeds we haven’t seen in decades, are going to help build the future of flight – as we celebrate 100 years and look to the next century.
“Innovation spurs innovation, and we look forward to working together to bring this BWB concept to commercial viability and lend Delta’s time, talent, resources and knowledge acquired over the last 100 years to influence what it takes to bring this revolutionary fleet technology to commercial viability.”
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