Delta will help aircraft engineering startup JetZero design the interior of its blended-wing aircraft.
As part of the partnership, JetZero will also receive maintenance and operational input from Delta's Sustainable Skies innovation lab as JetZero works toward goals of completing a full-scale demonstrator test flight by 2027 and putting aircraft into commercial service by 2030.
Blended-wing designs integrate an aircraft's wings with the fuselage, resulting in a smoother shape than today's tube-and-wing passenger planes, reducing aerodynamic drag and aircraft weight. JetZero says its blended-wing aircraft will reduce emissions by as much as 50% using existing aircraft technology.
A representation of an Alaska Airlines blended-wing aircraft. Photo Credit: Alaska Airlines
The divergent shape of the aircraft will also be a blank canvas for aircraft interior designers. Delta said the project will offer its team endless possibilities.
"With Delta at the helm of designing the interiors, customers can expect changes that enhance their experience, including dedicated overhead bin space for each passenger, accessible seats and lavatories, and fewer rows," the airline said.
JetZero said Delta has been supporting the company's efforts behind the scenes since 2023. Other high-profile supporters include the Defense Department, which awarded the company a a four-year, $235 million grant in 2023, and the FAA, which awarded it an $8 million grant last year.
JetZero's first airline investor was Alaska Airlines, which has procured purchase options should the blended-wing aircraft make it to market.