United is resolutely looking to the future, and intends to pave the way for defining the air mobility of tomorrow. With this in mind, a few days ago the airline announced its ambition - shared with specialist Archer - to launch a network of aircraft taxis in New York. These will link Manhattan to neighbouring airports using the Midnight fleet. Still in this vein, by turning to another specialist, United is also positioning itself in the field of blended wing body (BWB) aircraft. At the end of April, the airline announced that it was investing in 100 JetZero aircraft, and could even double its investment via two purchase options.
It all depends on the capacity of the equipment JetZero to respond favourably to the next stages of development on its flight plan. But with this announcement, United is not really stepping into the unknown. JetZero has won a $235 million contract from the US Air Force to accelerate the development of its commercial demonstrator, which is scheduled to make its first flight in 2027...
" If successful, JetZero has the potential to evolve our core business by developing aircraft that offer a larger, more comfortable cabin for our customers, while improving fuel efficiency across our network. "says Andrew Chang, Director of United Airlines Ventures (UAV). He adds: " United Airlines Ventures was created to support our efforts to find innovative companies that can enhance our customers' travel experience and help the airline reduce its carbon footprint, and we believe JetZero reflects this philosophy. ".
The JetZero Z4 project is designed to seat 250 passengers on conventional paraffin, with propulsion systems capable of using sustainable aviation fuel blends (SAF). According to the two partners, this new aircraft model should offer "fuel efficiency comparable to that of jet aircraft and a significantly enhanced customer experience". These include flexible and more spacious seating options in all classes, more storage space and streamlined boarding.
