United Airlines Bets Big on Blended Wing Aircraft With JetZero Investment
United Airlines is looking beyond the next generation of aircraft and investing in what might be the generation after that. Today, United announced it has made a strategic investment in JetZero, a startup developing a revolutionary blended wing body (BWB) commercial aircraft that could cut fuel burn by up to 50% while offering a dramatically different cabin experience for passengers.
JetZero Z4: A New Shape for Commercial Aviation
Unlike traditional tube-and-wing aircraft, JetZero’s Z4 aircraft is shaped more like a flying wing, similar to some military aircraft designs. By spreading lift generation across the entire wingspan and reducing drag, the aircraft promises huge efficiency gains — up to 50% less fuel per passenger mile, according to JetZero. The aircraft will still fly on conventional jet fuel, but is designed to be compatible with sustainable aviation fuel blends as well.
In 2023, the U.S. Air Force awarded JetZero a $235 million contract to accelerate development of a full-scale demonstrator, which is expected to fly in 2027. The Z4 will seat approximately 250 passengers and, if all goes well, could be in commercial service later in the 2030s. United’s investment gives it the option to purchase up to 100 aircraft, with another 100 as options, contingent on key milestones and operational performance (i.e. no commitment at all, but preferecne if the Z4 actaully comes to fruition).
Not Just Fuel-Efficient — Passenger-Friendly, Too
Beyond efficiency, JetZero’s design could mean major enhancements to the passenger experience. Think wider aisles and bigger seats in all cabins, more overhead bin space, and a smoother boarding process thanks to multiple cabin bays and a wider main door. The aircraft also promises greater accessibility, with handicap-accessible lavatories and easier in-cabin mobility.
And importantly, the aircraft is expected to integrate into current airport infrastructure. No new jet bridges, no special gates — just the same runways, taxiways, and terminals.
A Natural Fit for United’s Venture Portfolio
This is the latest move by United Airlines Ventures (UAV), the airline’s corporate venture capital arm focused on sustainability and next-gen aerospace innovation. UAV has already invested in electric air taxis, hydrogen-powered planes, and hybrid-electric aircraft. JetZero fits squarely into that vision and would further United’s stated goal of net zero emissions by 2050.
“If successful, JetZero has the potential to evolve our core mainline business,” said Andrew Chang, head of UAV. “It could develop aircraft with a bigger, more comfortable cabin experience for our customers while increasing fuel efficiency across our network.”
“United Airlines Ventures was created to support our efforts to find innovative companies that can enhance the customer travel experience and help the airline lower its carbon footprint, and we believe JetZero reflects that philosophy.”
CONCLUSION
It’s not every day a major U.S. airline takes a bet on a radically different airplane design. But as United continues to pursue long-term innovation, JetZero may just be the most futuristic aircraft in the pipeline, a flying wing for the commercial skies. Whether it ever takes off is another matter, but the fact that the US Air Force is investing $235 million in it makes it more than a distant concept.
What do you think about United Airlines investing in the JetZero Z4?
image: United
Interesting idea but Boeing could easily bury that company because Boeing has good supply chains and experience in managing programs, despite 777-x and MAX delays.
The engines on top are harder to service but not impossible. It was done with the MD-11, but with more effort for the engine on the tail.
The wider body allows a very wide cabin but there will be more airsick passengers who sit on the outside (periphery). Such a plane might easily have 3 aisles.
Derek,
Go to the JetZero website and look at the strength oft he leadership team, board and advisors. You may change your opinion. I am a big fan and wish them all success.
It’s great to see some long overdue innovation in the commercial aircraft sector. Like the Boom project, this may or may not fly, but I am hopeful and optimistic.
It is as they say…”you are vastly better off if you tried to do something (innovate) and failed, than if you tried to do nothing, and succeeded.
To the folks at JetZero and Boom, I wish you all the very best of luck with these projects, and salute your efforts at pushing the boundaries. Now, as the late, great Bob Six used to say…”heads down, ass up, and charge!”
I wonder if this is a hedge against Boeing considering that since the merger that brought in the impressively awful McDonnell Douglas management, Boeing has swayed from one catastrophe to the next.
At best, this is an investment in the design of a potential future aircraft. They are nowhere in position to actually build it. Airbus and Boeing do you have the capacity to build aircraft and also have teams that are designing new generation aircraft.
The fact that airbus and Boeing have continually started new projects and then delayed them says they cannot see a return on investment
It will need virtual windows ala Emirates.
KLM has also invested in a similar V-shape plane development.
https://www.tudelft.nl/en/ae/flying-v
Alaska invested in JetZero last year. Looks very interesting. The fuel efficiency looks promising, but I take the improvements in passenger experience with a grain of salt. Wider aisles and bigger seats sound great…but I would expect most airlines to just jam in more seats.
Exactly. We could have all the things Mathew drools over today. No reason the existing airline fleet could not have more legroom, wider seats, wider aisles. The only thing preventing this is the current crop of airlines worldwide seem to have only one objective–cram in as many seats as possible, without regard to safety or passenger comfort. As an example nearly every airline took a magnificent new plane like the 787 and crammed in 28″ pitch seats in a 3x3x3 arrangement in economy, absolutely ruining whatever benefits the passengers could have derived from a new aircraft.
Any new plane will be exactly the same, regardless of whether or not in a new, “revolutionary” shape. Also, the Pentagon spending money on this or any other project is meaningless. They are spending tax dollars, of which they have total disregard for wasting, just as all the rest of the US government. I would venture there is quite a bit of grift money being funneled back from the US investment to the corrupt politicians in DC.
What’s next on the press release machine?
Well, I think Kirby is angling for a takeover of JetBlue, but we’ll discuss that tomorrow…
Worth mentioning that Delta announced their own work with JetZero over 6 weeks ago. This is not
https://news.delta.com/delta-jetzero-partner-design-future-air-travel
unique to United… got cut off haha
I missed that. Thank you.
Unfortunately for Avgeeks, market conditions eventually dictates what type of aircraft gets built. Twenty five years ago my neighbor in Seattle (a Boeing engineer) worked on the “Sonic Cruiser” project. With a speed of Mach 0.95 to 0.98 you could shave 2 hours off a trans-pacific flight. A beautiful design and concept but axed for unfavorable market conditions.
In favor of the 787, right?
These investments should be booked as advertisement spend, not venture investments. The likelihood that this aircraft ever flies is low, but the amount of free press it generates is high. I think that is ultimately what is behind so many of these long-shot investments
Back to the Future – Northrop’s 1948 video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMTwQ9b5hvk
This looks like an iteration of the ‘Sonic Cruiser’ concept envisioned by Boeing in 2001.
Wider aisles and more personal space? Not bloody likely.