In 2020, Airbus unveiled three ZEROe concept airliner designs: a turbofan, a turboprop and a blended-wing body. Credit: Airbus
Key Takeaways:
Major aircraft manufacturers like Airbus and Embraer are actively pursuing hydrogen-powered aircraft for zero-emission aviation, with Airbus targeting a 2035 entry into service, though some, like Boeing, are more skeptical about near-term feasibility.
The transition faces significant challenges, including establishing a scalable, affordable "green" hydrogen production and distribution ecosystem, overcoming technical hurdles like liquid hydrogen storage on aircraft, and requiring substantial investment and collaboration across governments, manufacturers, and airlines.
Initial industry efforts are focused on retrofitting existing regional jets with hydrogen-electric powertrains, with airlines like United and Alaska investing in these developments, while also exploring concepts for dedicated hydrogen aircraft and turning airports into hydrogen distribution hubs.
At least two major aircraft manufacturers are considering new concept designs for transport category airplanes powered by hydrogen, but as aviation tries to shift to sustainable, zero-emission fuels, skeptics have a few questions.
First, how likely are hydrogen-powered airliners in the near future?
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Thom is a former senior editor for FLYING. Previously, his freelance reporting appeared in aviation industry magazines. Thom also spent three decades as a TV and digital journalist at CNN’s bureaus in Washington and Atlanta, eventually specializing in aviation. He has reported from air shows in Oshkosh, Farnborough and Paris. Follow Thom on Twitter @thompatterson.
