The UK Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) has unveiled plans for an aircraft powered by liquid hydrogen that could fly from London to San Francisco without a refuelling stop.

The UK government-funded FlyZero project would operate at the same speed and comfort as today’s aircraft, carrying 279 passengers, according to the plans.

“At a time of global focus on tackling climate change, our midsize concept sets out a truly revolutionary vision for the future of global air travel keeping families, businesses and nations connected without the carbon footprint,” says FlyZero project director Chris Gear.

Developing a liquid hydrogen solution for a large, long-range aircraft also allows for new infrastructure to be developed at just a small number of international airports, making the rollout easier, according to ATI.

“I look forward to continuing to work closely with the Jet Zero Council to support the UK’s world-leading research in this sector” Shapps, UK transport minister

“This pioneering design for a liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft, led by a British organisation, brings us one step closer to a future where people can continue to travel and connect, but without the carbon footprint,” says UK transport secretary Grant Shapps.

“I look forward to continuing to work closely with the Jet Zero Council to support the UK’s world-leading research in this sector, which will create green jobs, help us meet our ambitious net-zero targets and lead the global transition to net-zero aviation.”

The aircraft is being developed by aviation experts from across the UK as part of the £15mn FlyZero initiative launched by the government in July 2020, which aims to explore the technological options for decarbonising aviation.

The Jet Zero Council—which is chaired by the transport secretary—met today to discuss the ATI developments.

The council is a partnership between industry and government that aims to deliver zero-emission transatlantic flight ‘within a generation’.

“Through the work of the Jet Zero Council, the UK aviation sector is exploring all avenues to ensure we protect the benefits of flying for future generations while cutting the carbon cost,” says Emma Gilthorpe, Jet Zero Council CEO.

Low-carbon options

Liquid hydrogen is a lightweight fuel, which has three times the energy density of kerosene and 60 times the energy density of batteries per kg.

A number of firms are investigating the use of liquid hydrogen in aviation, including technology firm Cummins and aircraft manufacturer Airbus. Last year, Airbus revealed three concepts for the world’s first zero-emission commercial aircraft, which could enter service by 2035.

Separate studies from Airbus that evaluated butane, propane, methane, ammonia and other types of batteries, as well as hybrid electric solutions, found liquid hydrogen to be the best potential for large commercial air travel.

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Author: Tom Young