Hydrogen passenger planes could be the future of air travel

The UK Government is backing a project that could see hydrogen-powered planes go mainstream, providing Sydney to London flying with just one stop and at the same speed and comfort as current planes.

Shown for the first time, the FlyZero project uses hydrogen as the plane's fuel, which is itself inherently lightweight and energy-packed, but produces no CO2 emissions when burned.

The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) says that in comparison to traditional jet fuel, hydrogen has around three times the energy density per kilogram. Next to a traditional battery such as those found in an EV, it has 60 times the energy density.

Cyrogenic fuel tanks are required for storing the hydrogen at around -250 degrees celcius when in flight, located in one large rearward and two forward fuselages. The fuel is used to power turbofan engines that use hydrogen combustion to spin.

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The range makes it capable of flying almost 10,000 kilometres (quoted at 5250 nautical-miles) – which is good enough to fly across the world with only one stop, or non-stop from Beijing to London, for instance.

In comparison to a Boeing-737 or Airbus A320, the FlyZero concept is slightly larger and has a longer range. Its design, which is similar to those aircraft with a 54-metre wingspan, means it will be able to use existing airport infrastructure and terminals if it does go into service. Seating capacity is for 279 passengers, slightly less than the Boeing 777 which can hold 296.

The UK Government is investing more than $7 billion in the program, which ends in 2026, but there are some challenges to overcome before it can go mainstream on the tarmac, including sourcing and fuelling hydrogen at a reasonable price – which the ATI says could happen by the 2030s.

“The Aerospace Technology Institute’s pioneering research highlights the potential for hydrogen in realising zero-carbon global connectivity,” said Jet Zero Council CEO, Emma Gilthorpe.

“This ground-breaking green technology looks set to play a critical role in decarbonising flight and 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.”