Delta Teams Up with JetZero to Pioneer Sustainable Aviation Design

Delta Air Lines has partnered with JetZero, a California-based innovator, to develop an aircraft that could reshape commercial aviation. The focus is a blended-wing-body (BWB) design—a striking departure from traditional tube-and-wing planes—that boasts up to 50% better fuel efficiency. Announced last week, this collaboration is a key pillar of Delta’s Sustainability Roadmap, launched in 2023, targeting net-zero emissions by 2050 while aiming to lower costs and enhance passenger comfort.

A Design With History

The BWB concept traces its roots to the 1990s, when NASA and Stanford University proved its safety and efficiency in test flights. JetZero is now advancing the idea, backed by a 2023 U.S. Air Force grant of $235 million to build a full-scale demonstrator, set to fly in 2027.

Delta’s role is pivotal: it’s tapping into its Sustainable Skies Lab to provide operational expertise—covering maintenance, flight logistics, and airport integration—to ensure the design meets real-world demands. JetZero has also enlisted Pratt & Whitney, part of RTX, to supply PW2040 engines, a proven powerplant from the Boeing 757, blending reliability with this radical new airframe.

Better Efficiency, Better Flights

This is Delta’s fourth “revolutionary fleet” venture, merging green goals with practical innovation. The BWB can carry over 250 passengers, on par with widebody jets like the Boeing 787, and offers compelling advantages:

• Fuel Efficiency: Its aerodynamic shape cuts drag, boosts lift, and sheds weight, potentially halving fuel use.

• Sustainability: It’s designed to run on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), leveraging existing engines to shrink emissions further.

• Noise Reduction: Top-mounted engines promise a quieter experience, a boon for airport neighbours.

• Operational Fit: Delta’s advising on faster gate turnarounds and compatibility with current airport setups.

• Passenger Perks: Delta is crafting a cabin with dedicated overhead bins, wider aisles, better accessibility, and fewer rows for a smoother ride.

JetZero’s CEO, Tom O’Leary, notes the design “blends” pressurization and bending loads into one structure, unlike traditional planes where they’re separate, driving its efficiency edge. The aircraft’s range and speed are expected to rival today’s mid-range international jets, making it a versatile contender.

Why It Matters

Aviation efficiency has soared 80% over five decades, with modern fleets far leaner than their predecessors. Delta’s own efforts shine through: its Carbon Council saved over 40 million gallons of fuel in 2024 with upgrades like winglets and optimized flight paths. Yet, with global air travel projected to double by 2040 and climate deadlines looming, bolder steps are essential.

The BWB has heavyweight support—beyond the Air Force, Northrop Grumman and Scaled Composites are on board, alongside FAA coordination. Delta’s involvement dates to 2021, initially informal, before this formal partnership cemented its stake. Pratt & Whitney’s sister company, Collins Aerospace, is also contributing nacelles and propulsion mounts, rounding out a robust industry coalition.

The Future of Flying

This project is about smarter, quieter aviation that slots into today’s airports without disruption. Dubbed “nacho-shaped” for its triangular silhouette, the BWB could redefine how we fly, offering airlines like Delta a cost-saving, eco-friendly edge. Amelia DeLuca, Delta’s chief sustainability officer, calls it critical for tackling future emissions, building on the airline’s current efforts. With a demonstrator flight in 2027 and commercial hopes by 2030, the timeline is ambitious but grounded in decades of research. Delta and JetZero are betting big.