Natilus, also known as the 'Boeing killer', is redefining the skyscape with its blended-wing-body planes. According to CEO, Aleksey Matyushev, consumers can expect to step aboard within the next decade. Robbie Hodges reports

In just a decade, the typical commercial plane – tube and two wings – could seem nothing more than an anachronism. That is, at least, if Natilus’ vision comes to life. The aviation pioneers are known for their unique blended-wing-body (BWB) design, more akin to a stingray than a bird, which it claims is the world’s most energy efficient commercial aircraft. 

2025 is an exciting year for the company. In March, it officially announced that it was looking for a new manufacturing facility in the US that would enable the company to build models at scale. As the tariff war takes hold with implications for steel and aluminium imports, Natilus hopes to provide US-based carriers with locally-made aircraft. The facility will produce KONA, Natilus’s regional BWB freighter plane, and will eventually be built out to produce its 200-passenger aircraft, HORIZON. 

And what better time for expansion? After a slew of media scandals that eroded consumer trust in Boeing and Airbus, there’s a market opportunity for a radical newcomer to provide an alternative to commercial aircrafts. Globetrender talked to the company’s CEO, Aleksey Matyushev about plans for the future and why he thinks the 2030s will mark a historic turning point for commercial aviation.

Which problems in the aviation sector does Natilus aim to solve?

The aviation industry generates more than 900 million metric tons of CO2 per year globally – a number projected to peak this decade. To meet the International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s resolution to fly net zero by 2050, airlines and aircraft manufacturers are facing a reckoning to rethink their operations. While sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a promising solution, the effort is years from commercialization. 

With Natilus’s innovative BWB design, its family of aircraft offers a 50% reduction in carbon emissions compared to traditional planes. Natilus delivers step-change technology improvements, independent of incremental advancements on the powertrain and fuel source, offering a 30% reduction in fuel consumption that can be stacked with SAF and hydrogen propulsion in the coming years. Combining all of these factors, Natilus is developing commercial aircraft that are more sustainable and fuel-efficient than ever before.

Additionally, over the next 20 years, the global demand for new narrowbody commercial aircraft is expected to exceed 40,000 planes. Boeing and Airbus are struggling to keep up with today’s demand, and the deficit is likely to grow as the companies’ supply chain challenges continue. 

Commercial airlines are ready to embrace new manufacturers, especially if new aircraft offer a significant reduction in carbon emissions. Positioned to disrupt the Boeing-Airbus duopoly, Natilus will operate faster, leaner and more efficiently to develop next-generation aircraft for a fraction of what it costs today’s OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers).  

What are the benefits of flying in BWB models for the consumer; in what tangible ways will the experience seem 'elevated'?

The BWB design offers 30% more floor space than the traditional airplane. Our interior designs are flexible and customizable for each airline – many of which are on the hunt for differentiated offerings for passengers and exploring unique seating configurations and plane layouts. Depending on the airline’s configuration, passengers could see more spacious economy seats, more lie-flat first-class seats or even dedicated configurations catering to business travelers and families. Overall all passengers should expect a quieter flight experience.  

For the past decade, much sustainable aviation discourse has revolved around hydrofuels. Do you think tube fuselage planes are compatible with a greener future?

The aviation industry is making incremental progress through sustainable aviation fuel and hydrogen fuels – but we need many different approaches to move toward a cleaner future. Natilus’s BWB aircraft offer major advantages in sustainability, delivering a 30% reduction in fuel consumption and 50% decrease in carbon emissions. In our case, Natilus’s HORIZON and KONA will be compatible with SAF and can also work with hydrogen-powered engines from ZeroAvia. 

The aviation sector is in the midst of a trust crisis. Natilus Horizon looks (and I imagine feels) very different to the typical passenger plane. What’s your strategy for building consumer trust?

Our first aircraft will be our regional cargo aircraft, the KONA, and the HORIZON will follow soon after. While the HORIZON looks different, both pilots and passengers should expect a similar – yet elevated – experience onboard. Like all commercial aircraft, we will pursue FAA Part 25 Type certification and the HORIZON will meet all the airworthiness standards set by the FAA for transport category airplanes.  

Natilus has already created an autonomous cargo plane (operated by the Natilus Pilot Operations Desk). Do you foresee a future of autonomous planes for consumer travel?

KONA will be optionally-piloted, meaning that customers can select for the KONA to be autonomous or human-piloted. At this point, we aren’t focused on developing autonomous planes for consumer travel due to the hurdle with FAA certification. The HORIZON will be human-piloted.

Where do you see Natilus Horizon sitting in the market?

The HORIZON will compete with the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737s, and is designed to operate within the existing gate infrastructure. 

When is the HORIZON aircraft expected to hit the market i.e. when can consumers expect to step aboard?

We expect to take the Horizon to the market in the early 2030s. At that time, carriers are expected to make purchasing decisions on their next fleets to meet 2050 net-zero goals. 

What market forces have held Natilus back in the past, and does there seem to be more appetite for aviation innovation right now? Why do you think that is?

The aircraft in use today are tube-and-wing designs that have been around for more than half a century. For manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus, the cost to develop a new aircraft is massive. It’s clear the industry needs new entrants to introduce more streamlined, fuel-efficient aircraft for the next half-century. 

In light of the frustrations with Boeing and Airbus with delivery delays, airlines are exploring new aircraft manufacturers to navigate potential trade restrictions and supply chain disruptions, especially as tariffs put critical aerospace materials like aluminium and steel at a premium. 

With the expansion of trade routes across the globe, the aviation sector needs more efficient and sustainable aircraft for the cargo and passenger markets. As a prime example, Canadian charter airline Nolinor Aviation purchased multiple production slots for Natilus’s regional cargo plane, KONA, due to its ability to operate in rugged terrain and extreme weather. The largest operator of the Boeing 737-200, Nolinor Aviation has turned to Natilus to provide a more sustainable way to reach its target markets in the Canadian Northwest.

Natilus has spent the past nine years developing the technology, fostering the talent and creating a customer pipeline to commercialize BWB aircraft. Right now, we are seeing market interest for the HORIZON driven by commercial airlines looking to reduce costs and emissions in their operations. 

What lessons have you learned from the current Boeing/Airbus fiasco?

One of the key lessons we have learned is the critical importance of ensuring that Natilus remains engineering-led throughout development and manufacturing. We have also maintained a sharp focus on the problem we aim to solve and the risks we are prepared to take. For instance, the true innovation Natilus offers lies in the design of the airframe. However, we are not pursuing the development of new engine or avionics technologies. We understand our strengths and leverage a robust supply chain by integrating certified, flight-proven hardware and software.