American Airlines Bets Big on Zero-Emission Future with ZeroAvia Hydrogen-Electric Engine Deal

[Caribbeans]

American Airlines Bets Big on Zero-Emission Future with ZeroAvia Hydrogen-Electric Engine Deal

USTourismNews.com | Iuliia Tore | Jul 24, 2025

American Airlines has announced a conditional purchase agreement for 100 hydrogen-electric engines from clean aviation leader ZeroAvia, designed to power regional jets with zero in-flight emissions – save for water vapor. The deal signals one of the strongest commitments yet by a major airline to alternative propulsion and aligns with American’s goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The agreement builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2022, and coincides with American’s increased investment in ZeroAvia through participation in the company’s Series C funding round.

A New Era of Clean Regional Aviation

ZeroAvia is at the forefront of developing hydrogen-electric propulsion systems, which generate electricity from hydrogen fuel cells to power electric motors—producing only water vapor as a by-product. The company is currently flight-testing a 20-seat prototype and is actively designing a larger engine for aircraft such as the Bombardier CRJ700, a model used by American on select regional routes.

“This announcement will help accelerate the development of technologies needed to power our industry and uphold our commitment to make American a sustainable airline,” said Robert Isom, CEO of American Airlines. “Advancing the transition of commercial aviation to a low-carbon future requires investments in promising technologies, including alternate forms of propulsion.”

Investing in a Greener Flight Path...more
https://www.rustourismnews.com/2025/07/24/american-airlines-bets-big-on-zero-emission-future-with-zeroavia-hydrogen-electric-engine-deal/



ZeroAvia
Hydrogen-electric and electric propulsion technology for clean, efficient and affordable flight.

ZeroAvia is developing full hydrogen-electric engines for existing commercial aircraft and also supplying hydrogen and electric propulsion component technologies for novel battery, hybrid and hydrogen-electric air transport applications.
ZeroAvia

“This Isn’t an Aircraft, It’s a Revolution”: American Airlines Triggers Aviation Uproar With Game-Changing Project Set to Redefine Flight
https://www.energy-reporters.com/environment/this-isnt-an-aircraft-its-a-revolution-american-airlines-triggers-aviation-uproar-with-game-changing-project-set-to-redefine-flight/

American Airlines and ZeroAvia: "F*ck Trump"

[OKIsItJustMe]

1. The biggest challenge for ZeroAvia is the volume needed for hydrogen fuel

The classic example (in my mind) is the Saturn V. The top stages of the Saturn V were powered by hydrogen/oxygen. Electricity was provided by fuel cells, which also produced fresh water as a byproduct. Hydrogen was chosen, primarily for its energy/mass ratio.

However, the 1st stage of the Saturn V used RP-1/oxygen. (RP-1 is essentially highly refined kerosene.) RP-1 was used for the first stage because of its high energy/volume ratio.

If you go back to the 1970’s NOVA documentary, The Invisible Flame, a pair of aircraft engineers are predicting that hydrogen will be the future of commercial aviation. They explain how they propose to modify jetliners to accommodate hydrogen fuel.

(Skip forward to 31:31.)

[4th]

2. Also where do you get the hydrogen?

Producing it requires a lot of energy.
Getting it out of methane (one common method) releases a lot of CO2.

[OKIsItJustMe]

4. Well, the plan is to use electrolysis to produce it from water

Today, most hydrogen (as you point out) is produced from methane (“Natural Gas”) for the simple reason that it’s the cheapest way to do it. We’ve been doing it that way for a long time, but, we’ve also known how to produce it using electrolysis.

So, here’s the thing, producing electricity using “renewable” sources of energy, like wind and solar is getting cheaper and cheaper, while the price of natural gas will go up. When Russia invaded Ukraine, “Natural Gas” prices jumped, making “green hydrogen” cost competitive.

When electrolysis becomes reliably less expensive than steam reforming of “Natural Gas” the market will naturally shift.

[hatrack]

3. Wow, that's some seriously primo AI "art" at the top of the article!!