A Boeing rival has launched a new £2.2 billion design that flies 10,000ft higher and has extra legroom, setting it apart from traditional airliners. California-based aerospace company JetZero has created a new prototype – the Z4 – that aims to disrupt air travel.
Design and efficiency
The model blends the wings and body into one surface, with a futuristic look. This creates aerodynamic lift and could help conserve fuel, and also makes the aircraft stand out from the traditional tube-and-wing design most planes have. The company is set to be rivalling Boeing's 767 – a wide-body plane with 181 to 375 seats. However, the Z4 is made to carry 250 passengers with a substantially lower fuel burn. The plan is that the model has up to 50 per cent greater fuel efficiency than similar conventional aircraft.
Passenger comfort
As the design allows for wider aisles, passengers will also have more legroom and better seating layouts. The plane will have four aisles instead of three, according to The Wall Street Journal. Each seat will also have its very own overhead luggage compartment, meaning there is no struggle for storage. There will also be a dedicated waiting space for the toilet on board.
Funding and timeline
Last week JetZero secured a £2.25 billion deal with the US Export-Import Bank with the contingency that the company will build its first factory in the US. It is also reported that the JetZero Z4 is partially funded by the US Air Force after scoring a contract in 2023. The test model is set to take its first-ever flight in 2027. The company's president and chief operating officer, Daniel Da Silva, revealed the plane will not be ready for commercial use until around 2030.
Industry reaction
Sangita Sharma, director of Delta's Sustainable Skies Lab, said during a panel revealing the model: “The aircraft interior, the new shape of this aircraft, gives so much space for the crew to deliver a next-level customer experience, and also for the employee experience. Our flight attendants are so excited about the possibility of delivering service like this. Just think about how much more personalised and white-glove it can be.” JetZero also claims that several military aircraft configurations can be made with the unique design, including air transport and refuelling tanker variants.
