Working to bring a viable low-emissions blended wing body (BWB) aircraft to market, JetZero has received a major vote of confidence from Alaska Airlines.
The carrier’s corporate venture capital arm, Alaska Star Ventures, has invested in JetZero as part of a Series A funding round last year, and taken options for future aircraft orders with the Long Beach, California-based company. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Boasting a design that integrates the wings and fuselage into a single smooth shape, JetZero believes its BWB aircraft will be nothing short of “revolutionary” for commercial aviation, delivering up to 50% better fuel efficiency than today’s mid-market airliners, and ergo 50% lower emissions.
Alaska Airlines seems increasingly convinced by the JetZero value proposition, as it works to ultimately achieve its own Net Zero goal by 2040.
“At Alaska, we are always looking for ways to innovate and shape the future of air travel for our guests, employees, and industry,” says Diana Birkett Rakow, senior vice president of public affairs and sustainability at Alaska Airlines.
“We are proud to invest in JetZero’s development of this innovative next-generation aircraft, with a significant step-change in fuel efficiency. We and JetZero share a vision for more sustainable aviation, and we are excited to partner with them in creating that future.”
Variations of BWB aircraft have been studied for decades. And in more recent years, NASA, Airbus, KLM, the Delft University of Technology and other industry stakeholders have sought to advance various BWB ideas. But the support of a major US airline cannot be discounted and might inspire others to follow suit.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Alaska to our team of innovators, and our belief that this aircraft will reshape aviation,” says JetZero co-founder and CEO Tom O’Leary.
Since late 2021, JetZero has been working in stealth mode with celebrated London-based design house Factorydesign to evolve the new BWB cabin interior design. Last year, they released initial renderings, showing how the aircraft’s spacious interior will enable innovative seating arrangements.
Initial renderings of the JetZero BWB interior show some conventional seating positioned in a cabin that appears to be inspired by nature, featuring bionic principles. Image: Factorydesign
According to Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) Group CEO Dr. Joe Leader, the new JetZero aircraft experience will be publicly unveiled for airlines on 27 October, just before the APEX Global EXPO in Long Beach opens its doors.
This unveiling will showcase the BWB design’s “transformative potential in air travel”, said Dr. Leader.
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Featured image credited to Alaska Airlines
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Publish date : 2024-08-16 01:56:00
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