At the Airbus Summit 2025, Airbus provided an update on its strategy to lead the future of commercial aviation in the coming decades. The company outlined potential technology building blocks to prepare for a next-generation single-aisle aircraft that could enter service in the second half of the 2030s, as well as a revised roap to advance technologies associated with hydrogen-powered flight.
Airbus has presented further details on the key technology building blocks that could enable the entry into service of a next-generation single-aisle aircraft, with an expected 20-30% increase in fuel efficiency compared to the current generation, as well as the ability to fly on up to 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The company has also revealed new design concepts demonstrating the different configurations being studied for this future aircraft, highlighting the various potential solutions being explored to achieve this major advance in aircraft efficiency and the aviation industry’s drive towards emissions neutrality by 2050.
Technologies include more efficient engines with disruptive open-fan designs; long, foldable wings enabling significant aerodynamic gains; next-generation batteries to enable hybrid architectures, where electricity is increasingly used to propulsive and non-propulsive functions onboard the aircraft; and lightweight materials and integrated systems for a connected aircraft.
“Every second, an Airbus aircraft takes off – connecting people, cargo and businesses around the world. We have the most advanced aircraft portfolio on the market, and the A321XLR is at the forefront of single-aisle technology. Now, we are building on the best of what we have done and preparing for the next leap forward, making our single-aisle aircraft even better and leading the future of aviation when the time comes,” said Bruno Fichefeux, Airbus’s Director of Future Projects.
Airbus R&D Director Karim Mokaddem added that the teams are working tirelessly to make the key decisions that will ultimately define the aircraft’s engine type, wing design and additional innovations once their maturity is proven. “Each of these technology blocks will play a key role in creating a new generation of commercial aircraft that will bring significant improvements in all domains of efficiency and productivity, and will contribute considerably to the decarbonization of air transport in the coming decades,” he added.
Advances made in these technologies were discussed at the Airbus Summit 2025 on 24-25 March, where Airbus brought together industry leaders and visionaries to discuss the future of sustainable aviation.
Via Airbus
