United Airlines has become the latest US carrier to cast support behind the development of the proposed blend wing body (BWB) passenger aircraft for startup Jetzero.
The Chicago-based carrier said it invested in Jetzero on April 24, which did not specify a dollar amount, but was able to order up to 200 BWB aircraft.
“The investment includes a pass to order up to 100 planes and an additional 100 options,” it says.
United say the “Conditional Purchase Agreement” is based on Jetzero, which hits certain development milestones, including flying a full-fledged demonstrator in 2027.
Other conditions include that the aircraft “meet United's safety, business and operational requirements.”
“United's investment in our company demonstrates the industry's belief that new and innovative technologies are needed to achieve the efficiency and cost savings needed to meet the continued growth of air travel around the world.”
Based in Long Beach, California, Jetzero is developing a 250-seat passenger plane called the Z4, with BWB design and twin turbo fans attached to the upper rear fuselage. The startup targets approximately 5,000nm (9,260km) range and passenger capacity of 200-250 people, but it has dramatically less fuel than today's passenger planes.
Jetzero is also affiliated with Delta Air Lines and the Atlanta-based carrier agrees to support the development programme of startup Jetzero by providing operational and cabin design inputs.
In fact, interest from airlines will be greater when it reaches multiple development, certification, manufacturing hurdles and reach markets with viable alternatives to current commercial jets, not to mention competing San Diego-based BWB developer Natilus.
United CEO Scott Kirby has previously expressed his dissatisfaction with the Airbus and Boeing double levels. Both planes are struggling to meet their delivery targets, and are urging new market participants to shake up that dynamic.
“If successful, Jetzero could potentially evolve its core mainline business by developing aircraft with a larger and more comfortable cabin experience for customers, while increasing fuel efficiency across the network.”
Jetzero's Z4 design passed the milestone in preliminary design reviews last year and has been named multiple suppliers in recent months.
In March, Jetzero chose the Pratt & Whitney PW2040 engine, which powers the Boeing 757 as the powerplant for the Z4 Airliner.
P&W Canada will integrate the APS3200 auxiliary power unit, and Collins Aerospace will design and build engine nacelle structures.
In 2023, the startup signed a $235 million contract by 2027 to build a US Air Force prototype aircraft targeting its first flight. Jetslo says it envisions “several military aircraft configurations” for the Z4, including tactical transport and aerial refueling missions.
