Delta partners with JetZero to design the future of air travel

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 start-up’s vastly more fuel efficient blended-wing-body (BWB) design is at the center 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.

On the heels of the airline celebrating 100 years of flight, the partnership underscores Delta’s commitment to shape what the future of flight looks like for centuries to come. Delta’s formal partnership with JetZero comes after the start-up 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 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. “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 global carrier’s world-class talent and access to its industry-leading operations. That includes the right maintenance and operational footprints to prove out and accelerate the commercialization of the BWB airframe technology – which is expected to be up to 50% more fuel efficient than the tube-and-wing designs¹ customers experience today. The partnership with JetZero marks Delta’s fourth “revolutionary fleet” partnership outlined in its Sustainability Roadmap launched in 2023: a groundbreaking, transparent roadmap by which Delta aims to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

The leading global airline will also help design an interior experience of the future to ensure a best-in-class customer and employee experience. The uniquely shaped airframe, that differs from today’s tube-and-wing shape, offers endless possibilities. 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, JetZero cofounder and CEO. “The ability to realize 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 realized. 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.”

Evolution of the blended wing body

The revolutionary BWB aircraft, first tested and demonstrated in the 1990s by NASA and Stanford University to be safe and efficient, will also be capable of using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) when it goes into service, since it will use today’s engine propulsion systems.

Aircraft manufacturers have made incredible advancements to increase overall commercial aircraft fuel efficiency since passenger jets were first introduced. In fact, fleet fuel efficiency is estimated to be 80% better than 50 years ago. At the same time, Delta has continued making fleet modifications – like adding winglets and lightweight landing gear to further the effort. In fact, Delta’s cross-divisional Carbon Council saved a cumulative 40+ million gallons of fuel in 2024² due to operational efficiencies, fleet modifications, and reduced weight on board. But the industry agrees that more is needed, and quickly.

This U.S. Air Force’s grant, coupled with support from partners such as Northrop Grumman and Scaled Composites, and ongoing coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, further validates for major aviation stakeholders that the BWB design is a solution within reach. Delta has informally partnered with JetZero since 2021 on how to best commercialize the aircraft as part of the start-up’s grant application.

JetZero’s BWB aircraft are expected to include a slate of revolutionary benefits for consumers and for environmental sustainability including:

• The BWB is up to 50% more fuel efficient than conventional tube-and-wing airframes on the market due to the design, which creates less drag, provides more lifting surface area, provides even load and lift distribution, and overall is markedly lighter in weight.

• Capacity to carry more than 250 customers – which is similar to existing widebody aircraft – to provide the level of capacity and range needed to meet growing travel demand.

• Less noise. With engines mounted on top of the aircraft, BWB aircraft are expected to be significantly quieter than existing aircraft.

• The potential to fit into existing airport infrastructure and offer faster turn-around times – areas Delta is exploring and advising on.

• Utilizing SAF to further decrease lifecycle carbon emissions.

Delta believes in connecting people to a more sustainable future of travel. The global airline’s ongoing work to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 while delivering a more sustainable future of travel focuses on what we fly, how we fly and the fuel we use. While we’re making changes that are within our control today, like reducing fuel consumption across our operations, Delta is also working on long-term solutions like advancing sustainable aviation fuel to fully decarbonize its operations and the industry.