Aircraft
Natilus Reveals Plan For 200-Seat Blended Wing Body Airliner
Blended wing body concept competes with a design by rival start-up JetZero and existing Airbus and Boeing aircraft
Natilus Horizon blended wing body airliner
The Horizon aircraft has a range of 3,500 nm and can seat up to 200 passengers. © Natilus

Natilus has unveiled its planned Horizon blend-wing-body (BWB) airliner, promising a 50% reduction in emissions and 30% less fuel burn than current aircraft. According to the California-based start-up, the planned Horizon model will carry 200 passenger on popular intercontinental routes such as Los Angeles to Boston and transatlantic sectors such as New York to London.

Announcing the Horizon design on October 23, the company indicated it is targeting airline payload requirements that are currently met by Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 Max narrowbodies. It said the BWB airframe will provide 40% greater volume than existing “tube-and-wing” aircraft that will give greater flexibility and comfort in passenger cabins, while still being compatible with existing airport gate configurations.

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