Delta & JetZero Partner to Develop 50% More Fuel-Efficient Aircraft

Image Credit: JetZero

Delta Air Lines is backing a visionary startup that aims to redefine the future of aviation. JetZero, a California-based company, is on a mission to develop a revolutionary blended-wing-body (BWB) aircraft that promises to slash fuel consumption, curb emissions, and quiet the roar of jet engines.

Unlike traditional aircraft, which have distinct cylindrical fuselages and protruding wings, BWB designs merge the two into a seamless, aerodynamic structure. The result? Reduced drag, greater fuel efficiency, and a significant step toward decarbonizing air travel.

While Delta isn’t injecting direct funding into JetZero, the airline offers something just as valuable—its vast operational expertise. Through its Sustainable Skies Lab incubator, Delta’s engineers will provide critical insights to support the design, development, and eventual test flight of JetZero’s demonstrator aircraft, targeted for 2027.

This collaboration aligns with Delta’s more significant environmental commitments. In 2020, the airline pledged $1 billion toward sustainability initiatives, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Two years later, Delta refined its mission, shifting focus from neutrality to full-scale decarbonization.

The advantages of BWB aircraft extend far beyond aesthetics. JetZero asserts that its cutting-edge design could cut emissions by up to 50%—all while utilizing existing engine technology and fuel infrastructure. The secret lies in its physics:

 ✔️ Less drag – A sleek, continuous body eliminates many inefficiencies in tube-and-wing airframes.

 ✔️ More lift, less weight – A broader surface area means improved lift distribution, allowing for a lighter airframe.

 ✔️ Quieter flights – With engines mounted on top rather than underneath, noise pollution is dramatically reduced.

Founded in 2021, JetZero envisions a next-generation 250-passenger aircraft comparable to midrange international jets. The startup has already secured a $235 million grant from the U.S. Air Force, teaming up with Northrop Grumman and Scaled Composites to construct and test the full-scale demonstrator.

Despite its promise, the BWB concept faces formidable hurdles. Emergency evacuations remain a concern—without the standard tube-and-row layout, ensuring quick and safe exits could be complex. Additionally, seating in a theatre-style arrangement may limit the number and placement of exit doors, raising regulatory questions.

While aerospace giants like Boeing, Airbus, and NASA have all experimented with BWB prototypes, none have successfully reached production. FAA certification remains a wild card, with regulatory unknowns looming over the aircraft’s future.

But Delta believes JetZero’s design presents a solution “within reach.”

“Working with JetZero to realize 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, Delta’s chief sustainability officer, in a statement.