JetZero teams with Delta to take the first blended-wing body commercial jetliner closer to reality

JetZero, a startup, is developing a commercial blended-wing body (BWB) aircraft called JetZero, which has a unique design that reduces drag and increases lift, allowing it to fly more efficiently. The company is partnering with Delta to troubleshoot operation and design issues from the ground up, aiming to bring the aircraft to market quickly and efficiently. The partnership will help JetZero refine the economics, engineering, and workflow of the aircraft through the operations and passenger experience lens. The BWB design aims to deliver the same speed and range as existing midbody jetliners on half the fuel, potentially saving airlines billions of dollars. The aircraft is targeting the underserved midbody, 250-seat class of carriers and is expected to be manufactured domestically. JetZero has raised $300 million from investors, including NASA, Airbus, Alaska Air, and EasyJet, and has received a $235 million award from the U.S. Air Force for a demonstrator plane in 2027. The partnership with Delta gives JetZero access to its Sustainable Skies Lab and Delta TechOps, which will help refine the aircraft's design and operations. The goal is to have a sustainable and efficient aircraft that can help the industry reach its goal of zero-carbon flight by 2050. Delta's Chief Sustainability Officer, Amelia DeLuca, says the partnership will help JetZero de-risk the aircraft and bring it to market more quickly. The collaboration between JetZero and Delta has been ongoing since 2021, but was publicly announced in March 2023.