Alaska Airlines has today announced an investment in JetZero, a pioneering company that is currently developing the Z4 Jetliner, a Blended-Wind Body aircraft. According to JetZero, their new aircraft will reduce fuel burn and emissions by up to 50 percent.
On Tuesday (August 13, 2024), Alaska Airlines announced that they have made an investment in JetZero, a company that is developing the Z4 Jetliner, a Blended-Wing Body (BWB) aircraft that is expected to reduce fuel burn and emissions by up to 50 percent. Alaska Airlines was the first commercial airline to invest in JetZero, and did so last year as part of the start-up’s Series A round. The investment includes options for future aircraft orders, and was made via Alaska Star Ventures (ASV), Alaska’s investment arm. JetZero is collaborating closely with the United States Air Force, NASA and the FAA in the development of their revolutionary BWB aircraft.
In Tuesday’s announcement, Alaska Airlines’ SVP – Public Affairs and Sustainability, Diana Birkett Rakow, said,
“At Alaska, we are always looking for ways to innovate and shape the future of air travel for our guests, employees, and industry. We are proud to invest in JetZero’s development of this innovative next-generation aircraft, with a significant step-change in fuel efficiency. We and JetZero share a vision for more sustainable aviation, and we are excited to partner with them in creating that future.”
Also commenting on Alaska’s investment, JetZero’s Co-Founder and CEO, Tom O’Leary, said,
“The biggest challenge for airlines is lowering fuel burn and emissions. Of all the great new technologies in work, the BWB design delivers the biggest impact by far. Airlines will see immediate benefit in cost savings, dramatically lower emissions and improved customer experience, compared to airplanes flying today. We’re thrilled to welcome Alaska to our team of innovators, and our belief that this aircraft will reshape aviation.”
Renderings of JetZero's Proposed Z4 Blended-Wing Body (BWB) Aircraft - Courtesy JetZero
Alaska Airlines and their regional partners serve over 120 destinations in the United States, Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica and Belize. The sustainability-focused carrier emphasizes Next-Level Care for guests, while offering low fares and award-winning service. Alaska has hubs in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland and Anchorage. The carrier is a member of the oneworld global alliance, and along with their additional partners, Alaska Airlines’ guests can earn and redeem miles on flights to more than 1,000 global destinations on over 20 airlines. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of the Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALK).
Source: Alaska Airlines
To our valued readers: As we prepare to celebrate our fifth anniversary on September 2, 2024, we have decided to enhance our visitor experience by eliminating targeted ads across our platform. In order to make up for lost revenue, we are transitioning to a reader supported model, without a paywall, annoying pop-ups, or a required subscription. We thank you for your generous support!