Delta Air Lines is teaming up with JetZero to introduce a new type of commercial airliner featuring a blended-wing-body (BWB) airframe that’s up to 50% more fuel efficient than the tube-and-wing airplanes flying today. 

With this new partnership, announced on March 5, JetZero becomes the newest member of Delta’s “Sustainable Skies Lab,” an initiative the U.S. carrier launched in 2023 to help scale innovative technologies that can help the aviation industry achieve its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Delta has also agreed to design the interior of JetZero’s BWB airliner, which will have a much different layout than traditional jetliners.

RTX group companies Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace have confirmed they will provide the main elements of the powertrain for  the JetZero technology demonstrator. This will combine a PW2040 turbofan engine and an auxiliary power unit, with Collins providing nacelles and propulsion mounting structures.

“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 Delta chief sustainability officer Amelia DeLuca.

“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 BWB aircraft, to solve for a significant portion of future aviation emissions.”

As part of its sustainability roadmap, Delta has partnered with Airbus on the ZeroE program to develop a hydrogen-powered airliner. It has also partnered with and invested heavily in eVTOL air taxi developer Joby Aviation.

With 250 seats and a projected range of 5,000 nm, JetZero’s BWB aircraft will deliver up to a 50% reduction in fuel burn and greenhouse gas emissions when running on regular jet fuel or sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). JetZero is also exploring a hydrogen-powered option in partnership with European budget airline EasyJet. 

The Long Beach, California-based company intends to offer the BWB airliner as a replacement for Boeing’s 757 and 767 models and the Airbus A330, and the company is targeting service entry in 2030.

With backing from the U.S. Air Force and NASA, JetZero has been developing its BWB aircraft since 2021 and is currently building a full-scale demonstrator that it intends to begin flight testing in 2027. In November, JetZero announced that it had completed supplier selections for the demonstrator aircraft.

Meanwhile, rival aircraft developer Natilus is also working on a BWB design for a 200-seat commercial airliner. Canadian business jet manufacturer Bombardier is developing a smaller BWB aircraft—about the size of a Global 6000—with its EcoJet program, which has already flown two subscale demonstrators. 

This story was updated on March 6 to include additional information about the roles of Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace.