GREENSBORO, N.C., June 14, 2025:
JetZero, the aerospace start-up pioneering an all-wing design airplane, today joined North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, state officials and honored guests in announcing Greensboro, North Carolina as the location for its first advanced manufacturing and final assembly facility. The state-of-the-art factory, located on the Piedmont Triad International Airport grounds, will produce JetZero’s Z4 airplane, designed to transform commercial aviation through fuel efficiency, cutting-edge engineering and an elevated passenger and flight crew experience.
The new site will create more than 14,500 jobs, delivering positive economic impact on the region and providing opportunities for collaboration with academic and vocational training institutions. JetZero will be capable of producing up to 20 Z4 airplanes per month at the factory’s full run rate, expected to be achieved by the late 2030s, contributing significantly to the United States’ goal of revitalizing American manufacturing and U.S. exports, and securing for generations the U.S. leadership in aerospace innovation.
“I am thrilled to welcome JetZero and its 14,000 good-paying jobs and unprecedented innovation to Guilford County,” said Governor Josh Stein. “From first in flight to now the future of flight, North Carolina and our skilled workforce is soaring.”
“North Carolina offers the ideal combination of talent, infrastructure, and forward-thinking leadership to support our mission to reshape aviation,” said Tom O’Leary, CEO and co-founder of JetZero. “This facility is a critical milestone in bringing our all-wing Z4 to market. I applaud the leadership of Governor Josh Stein and his team as well as the leadership of the North Carolina General Assembly, and whole host of local leaders and organizations for working with us to bring JetZero to North Carolina, the birthplace of aviation.”
“JetZero’s arrival is a powerful validation of PTI’s long-term vision to build an airport that is more than a place of transportation, but a center of aerospace excellence,” said Kevin Baker, Executive Director, Piedmont Triad Airport Authority. “This era-defining project reflects everything we’ve worked toward at PTI to create high-paying jobs and a sustainable, innovation-driven future for the airport, the region and the state.”
The state’s aerospace ecosystem, access to world-class research, university and technical colleges, and commitment to bringing innovative businesses to the state were key factors in JetZero’s selection. The company is working closely with state and local officials on workforce development and training programs. Construction on the facility is expected to begin in the first half of 2026, with first customer deliveries in the early 2030s. When career opportunities at JetZero become available, they will be posted to JetZero’s Career page as well as NCworks.gov, the state’s leader in connecting employers with skilled talent.
ACCELERATED DEVELOPMENT THROUGH DIGITAL TOOLS
JetZero is taking a clean-sheet approach to designing and building the factory. Working with Siemens including their Smart Infrastructure, Electrification, and Automation divisions, headquartered in North Carolina, JetZero is designing the greenfield factory to leverage the latest digital and industrial AI tools to ensure the most efficient and cost-effective production and operating model. Siemens also supports JetZero’s design/build/test model for the Demonstrator aircraft, a full-scale prototype slated for first flight in 2027. Siemens tools enable accelerated design, adaptable manufacturing, and digital test, shaving years of development time while upholding the highest quality and safety standards.
“JetZero’s upcoming facility, powered by Siemens technologies, demonstrates that revitalizing American manufacturing is more than just a vision—it’s becoming reality,” said Barbara Humpton, President and CEO, Siemens USA. “Together, we’re poised to accelerate innovation, create high-quality jobs, and position North Carolina as the next great U.S. aerospace hub—laying the foundation for a stronger, more competitive future.”
AIRLINE DEMAND
JetZero has secured investments and conditional purchase agreements from Alaska Airlines (an undisclosed number of orders) and United Airlines (100 orders and 100 options) and expects to announce further investments and agreements this year. Approximately 14 airlines have joined JetZero’s Airline Working Group to provide input on their needs, including the requirement for the Z4 to readily fit into today’s airport infrastructure. The Z4 will meet that requirement.
“JetZero’s all-wing aircraft design has the potential to transform the passenger in-flight experience while enabling a step-change improvement in fuel efficiency,” said Andrew Chang, head of United Airlines Ventures (UAV). “Today’s site selection for their new advanced manufacturing facility is an important and exciting milestone for the company to take their aircraft from concept to commercialization.”
Z4: MEETS AIRLINE DEMAND FOR “MIDDLE MARKET” AIRPLANE & LOWER EMISSIONS
The new facility will be the cornerstone of JetZero’s production, enabling the company to help airlines meet growing demand for air travel at a significant operating cost advantage. JetZero’s Z4 will deliver up to 50% better fuel efficiency due to its all-wing design, with lift provided by the entire wingspan and lower drag compared to a tube & wing airplane. The Z4 will seat ~250 passengers and can fly routes of up to 5,000 nautical miles, a combination of capabilities that airlines need to serve the ‘middle market’ between high-density single-aisle aircraft and larger twin-aisle aircraft. Demand for air travel is forecast to double by the 2040s (compared to 2019 levels), while the aviation industry also aims to decarbonize operations by 2050.
“You can only grow and meet demand while also decarbonizing through innovation,” Mr. O’Leary said. “And while we’re at it, let’s make the flying experience incredible.”
The Z4 addresses today’s tube & wing passenger pain points. A wider boarding door addresses the bottleneck on the jet bridge, and passengers can seamlessly proceed directly to their cabin without having to pass through other cabins. The Z4 is configured with six passenger bays, with their own dedicated aisle; each seating bay has no more than 12 rows, creating a private jet feel. Each seat has its own dedicated overhead bin, eliminating bag stowage anxiety. The central galley acts as a service hub and allows cabin crew to efficiently serve all passengers. Lavatories are located as far away as possible from the central service hub, and passengers with reduced mobility will have a wheelchair accessible lavatory.
Thanks to the unique interior space of the Z4, passengers will enjoy the largest personal space of any airplane. The interior’s unique vertical walls will offer unparalleled comfort levels for each seating bay. Aisles will remain uncongested, with dedicated queue space for lavatories. Every seat will be a minimum of 18 inches wide, and will have line-of-sight to the airplane’s windows, placed in the front two bays, with forward views in the direction of flight. Each passenger will have full control of their exterior view through a series of high-definition exterior cameras. An option for no-middle-seats is available to airlines, as well as 3×2 “family seating” options.
