Delta Air Lines Partners With JetZero to Design Efficient Blended-Wing-Body Aircraft Interior

Delta Air Lines is partnering with JetZero to help advance the first-of-its kind, 50 percent more fuel-efficient blended-wing-body (BWB) aircraft to the skies.  Delta will provide operational expertise through their Sustainable Skies Lab and consult on interior design.

Rendering of JetZero's Blended-Wing-Body (BWB) Aircraft in Delta Livery - Courtesy JetZero

On Wednesday (March 5, 2025),  Delta Air Lines announced the launch of a new partnership with JetZero to help advance the design of a new blended-wing-body (BWB) aircraft, which is projected to be 50 percent more efficient than today’s aircraft.  As part of the collaboration, Delta will provide best-in-class operational expertise via their Sustainable Skies Lab, and will also consult on the interior design, with the goal of re0inventing and further elevating the travel experience.  The carrier will support JetZero and Air Force demonstrator aircraft, slated to fly in 2027.  The new BWB aircraft will accommodate over 250 passengers, similar to today’s existing widebodies, and is being designed to provide the level of capacity and range to meet growing travel demand.  With top mounted engines, the aircraft will also be substantially quieter than existing aircraft. 

In Wednesday’s announcement, Delta’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Amelia DeLuca, said,

“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.  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.” 

Also commenting on the new partnership. JetZero’s Co-Founder and CEO, Tom O’Leary, added,

“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.  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.” 

As Delta celebrates 100 years of flight, the new partnership underscores the airline's commitment to shape the future of flight for centuries to come.  This formal partnership with JetZero comes after the California based start-up received a grant from the U.S. Air Force in 2023 to help facilitate the building of a full-scale demonstrator for first flight in 2027.  Through Delta’s Sustainable Skies Lab, JetZero will have access to the airline’s industry-leading operations, including the right maintenance and operational footprints to prove out the commercialization of the BWB airframe technology.       

Rendering of JetZero's Blended-Wing-Body (BWB) Aircraft Interior - Courtesy JetZero

As previously mentioned, Delta will play a key role in designing an interior experience of the future to ensure a best-in-class guest and team member experience.  The BWB aircraft’s unique airframe offers endless possibilities compared to today’s typical tube and wing aircraft.  With Delta at the design helm, customers can expected an elevate travel experience, including dedicated overhead bin space for every passenger, accessible seats and lavatories, and fewer rows.    

First tested by NASA and Stanford University in the 1990s, the revolutionary BWB aircraft design has been proven safe and efficient, and will be capable of operating on SAF when it goes into service, as will use current engine propulsion systems.  With the U.S. Air Force grant, along with support from partners like Northrop Grumman and Scaled Composites, as well as ongoing coordination with the FAA, validation of the BWB design is within reach.  Delta have been informally partnered with JetZero since 2021, collaborating on how to best commercialize the aircraft as part of JetZero’s grant application.

Source: Delta Air Lines