Budget carrier EasyJet is stepping up its commitment to sustainable aviation through a newly announced partnership with JetZero, a pioneering US start-up aiming to revolutionize aircraft design with its blended-wing-body configuration. Revealed on September 4, this collaboration marks EasyJet as JetZero’s first European airline partner, following a similar alliance with Alaska Airlines in August.
Unlike Alaska, which has invested in JetZero, EasyJet’s involvement is primarily focused on offering operational expertise to support the development of this next-generation aircraft. The blended-wing-body design, touted by JetZero, promises up to 50% fuel-burn savings compared to conventional tube-and-wing aircraft, all while using standard turbofan engines. However, EasyJet is particularly interested in the potential for these aircraft to accommodate future hydrogen propulsion systems.
David Morgan, EasyJet’s Chief Operating Officer, highlighted the design’s versatility at a sustainability event held at Cranfield University in the UK. “The novel shape of the blended-wing airframe offers significant advantages, particularly in hydrogen storage. This design is agnostic to future propulsion systems, making it an ideal candidate for the next wave of zero-emission aircraft,” said Morgan.
JetZero’s CEO, Tom O’Leary, echoed this sentiment, explaining that the aircraft could allow carriers like EasyJet to operate slightly larger planes capable of running on hydrogen without sacrificing passenger capacity or operational efficiency. The start-up is targeting a service entry date of around 2030 for its first product, which is expected to seat approximately 250 passengers.
While EasyJet has yet to make a financial investment in JetZero, the airline’s CEO Johan Lundgren emphasized the value of contributing operational insights to the development process. “As we move toward zero-emission technologies, our role is to ensure that these innovations are both affordable and compatible with our business model,” Lundgren stated.
As part of this partnership, EasyJet will join JetZero’s Airline Working Group, a collective that the start-up hopes will eventually include around a dozen airlines. The group’s inaugural meeting is scheduled for later this year, according to O’Leary.
This partnership not only underscores EasyJet’s commitment to sustainability but also positions the airline at the forefront of a potential aviation revolution, where hydrogen-powered, blended-wing-body aircraft could redefine the future of air travel.
