By Dickson Omobola

American airline, United Airlines, has invested in blended wing body, BWB, aircraft start-up JetZero.

The company is creating an aircraft design that has the potential to deliver jet fuel efficiency and a greatly enhanced customer experience.

The investment includes a path to order up to 100 airplanes 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 meet 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 per cent reduction in fuel burn per passenger mile compared to a similar sized aircraft.

The technology could potentially help United lower its carbon emissions while reducing the cost of operations. In 2023, the U.S. Air Force announced a $235 million contract to JetZero to fast-track the development of JetZero’s full scale demonstrator.

The JetZero Z4 airplane is designed to accommodate 250 passengers and fly on conventional jet fuel, with propulsion systems able to utilize sustainable aviation fuel blends.

Speaking on the development, Head of United Airlines Ventures, UAV, Andrew Chang, said “If successful, JetZero has the potential to evolve our core mainline business by developing aircraft with a bigger, more comfortable cabin experience for our customers while increasing fuel efficiency across our network.”