Commercial, GHG Emissions  -  July 9, 2024

American Airlines Purchases 100 Hydrogen-Electric Engines

American Airlines entered into a conditional purchase agreement for 100 hydrogen-electric engines. 

The agreement, signed with clean aviation innovator ZeroAvia, is intended to power regional jet aircraft with zero inflight emissions save for water vapor.

ZeroAvia is developing hydrogen-electric (fuel cell-powered) engines for commercial aircraft, offering the potential for close to zero inflight emissions. The company is flight testing a prototype for a 20-seat plane and designing an engine for larger aircraft such as the Bombardier CRJ700, which American operates on certain regional routes.

“Advancing the transition of commercial aviation to a low-carbon future requires investments in promising technologies, including alternate forms of propulsion,” said American’s CEO Robert Isom in a statement. “This announcement will help accelerate the development of technologies needed to power our industry and uphold our commitment to make American a sustainable airline so we can continue to deliver for customers for decades to come.”

American made its first investment in ZeroAvia in 2022 and has also now participated in the company’s Series C financing round. The engine agreement follows the Memorandum of Understanding the companies announced in 2022.

ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric engines use hydrogen in fuel cells to generate electricity, which is then used to power electric motors to turn the aircraft’s propellers. The only inflight emission is low-temperature water vapor.

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