British vacationers might quickly fly to Mallorca on ‘big bum’ Airlander plane after supply date agreed

A hydrogen-electric version of the ‘bum-shaped’ Airlander 10 aircraft could be flying by the end of the decade. 

Two companies, ZeroAvia and Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV), today announced they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together on developing the new model.

If all goes to plan, the 92-metre aircraft – which costs about £60 million per unit to build – could begin commercial flights as soon as 2029, carrying more than 100 British holidaymakers to Spain and the Balearic Islands.

The Airlander 10 first flew in 2010 and quickly earned the nickname the ‘giant bum’ because of its rounded, curved shape when viewed from behind – though marketing chief Hannah Cunningham says the redesigned version will be ‘less bum’ than before.

The updated aircraft will be a state-of-the-art hybrid that uses aerostatic lift, aerodynamic lift and vectored thrust to get airborne, and has a maximum range of 4,000 nautical miles.

It’s also designed to be extremely eco-friendly, thanks to ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric propulsion system – offering zero-emission in-flight operations, and lower than standard maintenance costs. 

In the meantime, the first Airlander 10s will use four diesel engines, which will still reduce emissions by up to 90 per cent compared with similar aircraft.  

Emissions could drop to just one to two per cent of those produced by kerosene-powered planes. 

A bum deal! A hydrogen-electric version of the Airlander 10 aircraft could be flying by the end of the decade

If all goes to plan, the 92-metre aircraft – costing about £60 million per unit – will begin commercial flights in 2029

The Airlander 10 first flew in 2010 and quickly earned the nickname ‘giant bum’ because of its rounded, curved shape when viewed from behind 

ZeroAvia’s first generation 600kW hydrogen-electric powertrain, the ZA600, has already reached several regulatory milestones and secured hundreds of pre-orders. 

The company is working with launch airlines to embed the system into traditional fixed-wing planes and has flight-tested a prototype on a 19-seat aircraft.

Under the new partnership, ZeroAvia and HAV will also explore how hydrogen-electric technology could be used in HAV’s larger aircraft in the future, and will assess what hydrogen infrastructure would be needed for Airlander 10 operations.

Speaking to Majorca Daily Bulletin, ZeroAvia founder and CEO Val Miftakhov said: ‘Airlander is another exciting airframe for line-fit of our powertrains, as it can open up a whole new market in air travel due to its range, efficiency and ability to operate from almost anywhere. 

‘Like ZeroAvia, Hybrid Air Vehicles is an aerospace innovator with exciting manufacturing and growth plans for the UK that can deliver hundreds of well-paid jobs in different regions in the UK.’

Last year, George Land told the Bulletin that Spanish airline Air Nostrum is ‘very keen,’ and that seeing Airlanders flying over Spain and between the Balearic Islands ‘could only be a matter of years away, certainly before 2029.’ 

Meanwhile, an impressive aircraft that can whizz from London to New York in just four hours is almost ready to take-off.

NASA’s X-59 is a supersonic research aircraft that is expected to reach speeds of up to 990mph – which is faster than the speed of sound.

The updated aircraft is a swanky, state-of-the-art hybrid that uses aerostatic lift, aerodynamic lift and vectored thrust, featuring a 10-tonne payload and a maximum range of 4,000 nautical miles

ZeroAvia’s first generation 600kW hydrogen-electric powertrain, the ZA600, has already reached several regulatory milestones and secured hundreds of pre-orders

Under the new partnership, ZeroAvia and HAV will also explore how hydrogen-electric technology could be used in HAV’s larger aircraft in the future

Such a quick rate means the vehicle could technically fly from London to New York in around three hours and 44 minutes.

This almost halves the duration of current commercial flights, which typically take seven to eight hours to complete the transatlantic journey depending on whether conditions.

It is currently undergoing the final safety tests before it can make its debut flight.

Described as ‘quiet’, the aircraft’s special design means it will make a thump noise instead of a loud sonic boom.