This radical plane concept with an all-in-one wing could be the future of commercial flight. See the leading designs from startups and Airbus.

  • "Blended wing" aircraft could be the future of commercial aviation.

  • Airbus and the startups JetZero and Natilus are leading development of these efficient flying wings.

  • The jets would burn dramatically less fuel and feature distinctly shaped passenger cabins.

Aircraft manufacturers are racing to build the jet of the future as airlines demand more efficient planes.

Among the most likely concepts is a blended-wing-body aircraft, which combines the fuselage and wing into one. This deviates from the traditional tube-and-wing design that has been the norm for commercial aviation.

The US Air Force, which has used the technology in some of its aircraft for decades, says the all-in-one wing can reduce drag by up to 30%. Last year it announced plans to work with the startup JetZero to more broadly roll out the design for military and commercial use.

A handful of companies have announced plans to build these distinctive vessels by the 2030s, including the startups JetZero and Natilus and the long-standing planemaker Airbus. Boeing has dabbled in blended-wing research but doesn't currently have plans to build a full-scale prototype.

Natilus and JetZero are starting from scratch and targeting different markets, but they have the same overarching goal: puncture the Airbus-Boeing duopoly.

Natilus is developing a 200-passenger narrow-body jet called Horizon, while JetZero plans to build a giant 250-capacity wide body called Pathfinder that would directly seek to replace aging Boeing 767s.

Airbus could defend its market share with its 200-passenger "ZEROe" blended-wing concept. The company has decades of experience designing commercial airplanes — leading the industry with its best-selling Airbus A320 family of similar capacity.

All three companies have found what they think is the secret sauce in the giant flying wing. It is poised to greatly reduce fuel burn, open up a wider cabin, and offer airlines better overall economics while still meeting route and infrastructure needs.

Blended-wing planes are essentially one giant wing.

A scaled model of an Airbus Blended-Wing Body (BWB) zero emission concept aircraft, on display at the Farnborough Airshow, on 22nd July 2022, at Farnborough, England.
A scale model of the Airbus blended-wing concept aircraft at the Farnborough International Airshow in 2022.Richard Baker/In Pictures via Getty Images

Natilus CEO Aleksey Matyushev told Business Insider that banking on the airframe to reduce emissions was a better strategy than relying on sustainable aviation fuel. Analysts have previously told BI that such fuel is expensive and won't be available in the quantities needed to meet the industry's 2050 net-zero goal.

A lighter airframe is key to blended-wing efficiency.

Air Force Blended Wing Body prototype aircraft
A rendering of JetZero's USAF blended-wing prototype.US Air Force

Matyushev said a lighter airframe and engines, combined with the more fuel-friendly wing that maintains standard capacity, would allow Natilus' Horizon jet to be up to 50% more efficient per passenger.

JetZero also expects its Pathfinder to burn 50% less fuel and has already partnered with the US Air Force to develop a blended-wing prototype. Airbus' announced ZEROe concept would run on hydrogen with zero emissions.

The University of Illinois aerospace professor Michael Bragg previously told BI that the development of lighter yet still strong composite materials was key to reducing fuel burn on blended-wing aircraft designs.

The engines sit in the rear of the airplane.

Airbus MAVERIC
Airbus' 6-foot-long blended-wing demonstrator was unveiled in 2020 as a test-bed for these delta-wing ideas.Airbus

The JetZero, Natilus, and Airbus blended-wing concepts have two engines attached to the back instead of under the wings, like most modern jetliners. Airbus said the engine location would reduce noise for passengers.

JetZero initially plans to use similar engines to those currently in use on planes like the Boeing 737. Matyushev said Natilus was in talks with manufacturers to develop its own blended-wing-capable engine, integrating proven technologies used in today's Boeing and Airbus planes.

He said building a new engine from scratch would be too risky. Airbus', and eventually JetZero's, blended-wing concept would build engines for hydrogen-powered commercial flight.

The cabin would be as distinctive as the airframe.

Airbus MAVERIC Airspace Cabin
A rendering of an Airbus blended-wing cabin.Airbus

A blended-wing plane would have a much wider cabin than a traditional tube-and-wing design, meaning the rows could be more than a dozen people long.

JetZero said the cabin would allow for more efficient boarding and deplaning, and more carry-on baggage space would eliminate the need for pesky gate checks.

Natilus said its wider cabin, which is uniquely planned with two levels, could be a nuisance for people stuck in the middle of the jet far away from windows. Still, its design provides more legroom and opens up space for things like a kids play area or a lounge.

The planes should work with existing airport infrastructure.

The Pathfinder plane at the airport gate.
It's easier to launch a new plane type if it can fit into existing airport infrastructure. Pictured is a rendering of Pathfinder.JetZero

Aircraft manufacturers don't want airlines or airports to have to spend a lot of money to accommodate a new jet type. The blended-wing plans are designed to fit into existing airport infrastructure.

JetZero, for example, said Pathfinder could fit into existing Airbus A330 gates, while Natilus said Horizon could fit into narrow-body ones.

Small blended-wing demonstrators exist — but no full-scale prototypes are flying just yet.

Subscale prototype of Natilus's Kona aircraft.
A subscale prototype of Natilus' Kona aircraft.Natilus

As of now, all of the full-scale commercial blended-wing concepts remain renderings, but demonstrators have been built to test and validate the technical specifications and performance of blended-wing designs.

Natilus' prototype is not for Horizon but for its cargo version called Kona, on which Horizon is based. Airbus and JetZero have also built demonstrators.

Airbus had a 6-foot-long demonstrator called Maveric. It debuted in 2020 and was used to evaluate concepts like airport compatibility, maintenance, and safety, which would help with the development of ZEROe.

JetZero and Natilus hope to break the Airbus-Boeing duopoly.

An Airbus A321 253 XLR Neo at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024
Airbus is the top seller for narrow-body jetliners, surpassing Boeing.John Keeble/Getty Images

Airbus and Boeing have been the world's two major commercial aircraft manufacturers for generations. But supply-chain issues at both, plus Boeing's ongoing quality and production problems, may have opened the door for JetZero and Natilus.

"We decided to move into the narrow-body market because it's the biggest opportunity over the next 20 years," Matyushev said. "Forty thousand new narrow-body airplanes need to be built in that time, but Airbus' and Boeing's capacity outlook shows they can only produce 15,000 each, so we want to fill that capacity."

JetZero said Pathfinder could replace Boeing 767s or similar traditional wide bodies. The company has carrier attention, with Alaska Airlines announcing an investment in August.

There are still obstacles to overcome.

Interior concept on Pathfinder.
An interior rendering of JetZero's Pathfinder.JetZero

JetZero, Natilus, and Airbus are shooting for entry to service in the 2030s, meaning the reality of blended-wing commercial travel is still years away at best. And there are plenty of challenges.

One is ensuring the jet can withstand the expected load bearings. Another is persuading people to sit far from windows, but Matyushev said people would adapt to that if they had more space.

Airbus and JetZero face the complications of developing a hydrogen-powered engine type. Certifying a new plane type will also be long and tedious, with its own set of obstacles, including pilot training.

Larger blended-wing designs like JetZero's also have to consider evacuations, which could take longer with fewer exit rows.

Blended-wing planes have already been flying for years in the military.

The B-21 Raider is seen in an indoor facility with an American flag behind it.
The B-21 Raider is among the blended-in wing planes bought by the USAF.US Air Force via AP

While a blended-wing passenger plane is a relatively new concept, the aircraft type has been flying for the US military for decades.

Northrop Grumman's latest version is the long-range B-21 Raider stealth bomber, with which the US Air Force is conducting flight tests.

Its shape is similar to that of the B-2 bomber predecessor, which was first delivered to the USAF in 1993.

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