Delta Air Lines is partnering with JetZero on a revolutionary, more sustainable aircraft that looks and feels like nothing flying today’s commercial skies. The California-based startup’s fuel-efficient blended-wing-body (BWB) design is at the centre of the collaboration and is one facet of Delta’s ongoing journey to advance industry innovation, drive down cost through increased fuel-savings, elevate the customer experience and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Delta’s formal partnership with JetZero comes after the startup received a grant from the U.S. Air Force in 2023 to help facilitate building a full-scale demonstrator for first flight in 2027. Delta will play a crucial role in the development by providing the operational expertise to help make this technology viable.
“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,” said Amelia DeLuca, Chief Sustainability Officer, Delta Air Lines. “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.”
As the newest member of Delta’s Sustainable Skies Lab, JetZero has the direct support of the carrier’s talent and access to its operations. That includes the right maintenance and operational footprints to prove out and accelerate the commercialisation of the BWB airframe technology, which is expected to be up to 50% more fuel efficient than the tube-and-wing designs customers experience today. The partnership with JetZero marks Delta’s fourth “revolutionary fleet” partnership outlined in its Sustainability Roadmap launched in 2023 – a roadmap by which Delta aims to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
Delta will also help design an interior experience of the future to ensure a best-in-class customer and employee experience. The uniquely shaped airframe differs from today’s tube-and-wing shape. With Delta at the helm of designing the interiors, customers can expect changes that enhance their experience, including dedicated overhead bin space for each passenger, accessible seats and lavatories, and fewer rows.
“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,” said Tom O’Leary, Co-founder & CEO, JetZero. “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. 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.”
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