Technology continues to shape the airline industry, and United Airlines has made an announcement that they hope will help give passengers a “bigger, more comfortable cabin experience” in the coming years.
United Airlines, according to Aviation A to Z, is the second biggest airline in the world, only behind Delta Airlines. The airline has multiple hubs across the U.S. and connections to Asia, Europe and Latin America.
United Airlines in Chicago has announced an investment in JetZero, a startup creating blended wing body aircraft. The airline’s investment features a conditional agreement to purchase up to 100 aircraft, with the possibility of purchasing an additional 100, dependent on JetZero meeting select milestones.
JetZero’s Z4 aircraft design reduces fuel consumption per passenger mile by as much as 50%, according to the company. The aircraft, which is made for 250 passengers, will use a conventional jet fuel and sustainable aviation fuel blends.
“JetZero’s innovative design reduces drag and produces lift across the entire wingspan, which could lead to as much as 50% reduction in fuel burn per passenger mile compared to a similar sized aircraft,” United said in a statement. “The technology could potentially help United lower its carbon emissions while reducing the cost of operations.”
Andrew Chang, head of United Airlines Ventures, said that if all goes well, JetZero could “evolve our core mainline business by developing aircraft with a bigger, more comfortable cabin experience for our customers while increasing fuel efficiency across our network.”
Chang added, “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.”
Tom O’Leary, CEO and co-founder of JetZero, added that United Airlines’ investment in JetZero shows the airline the industry’s “belief that new, innovative technology is needed in order to achieve the efficiency and cost savings that will be required to meet the continued growth in demand for air travel across the globe.”
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