Startup CEO shares his plan for a radical ‘blended wing’ jet to rival Boeing and Airbus

He further explained that, because it can also carry more people and weighs less, Horizon could be up to 50% more fuel efficient per passenger.

And, despite its futuristic shape, Matyushev said Horizon will not require any costly airport infrastructure changes.

Matyushev said Natilus is in talks with two engine manufacturers for Horizon’s smaller powerplant. He said making one in-house is too risky and wants to rely on proven technology, but both options will be SAF-compatible.

Fewer windows but more space

Convincing people to sit so far from a window could be tricky.

Emirates, for example, has created digital windows in the center section of some of its airplanes. And people commonly put their window shades down anyway on red-eye and early-morning flights.

“If I take away the windows but give you more legroom and spaces like a kids’ playroom and a lounge, I think people will normalize to that,” Matyushev said. Horizon is expected to offer 40% more volume than a traditional narrowbody.

Some studies have raised concerns about evacuations on BWB planes because they have fewer exit locations, and the wider cabin means passengers have to move further to get to an exit — something that could be a problem in emergencies where every second counts.

Although Horizon has a very different shape than traditional planes, it’s controlled like normal, which could make airline and pilot buy-in easier, Matyushev said. Horizon will have a modern cockpit similar to that of Airbus — meaning no yoke and advanced avionics like auto-land.

“Horizon has vertical tails, for example, so it doesn’t need fancy control systems to keep that plane stable,” he said. “Our secret sauce is mirroring what most airlines and pilots are already using today.”

The military already uses jets with a similar wing shape.

Still, building a brand-new jet type won’t be cheap or easy, especially getting regulatory approval. The time-tested tube-and-wing design is less risky and easier to produce and certify. Natilus will also need to prove that its lighter BWB design can handle the expected load bearings and that the cockpit offers safe and proven systems for pilots.

Natilus joins a growing list of BWB plane developers. Airbus announced its BWB jetliner in 2020, while JetZero unveiled its “Pathfinder” widebody BWB design in April.