China is exploring a futuristic passenger aircraft that could carry more than 800 people, potentially making it one of the largest airliners ever envisioned.

 

China is exploring a futuristic passenger aircraft that could carry more than 800 people, potentially making it one of the largest airliners ever envisioned.

Researchers at the China Aerodynamics Research and Development Centre (CARDC) are developing a radical flying-wing concept that moves away from the conventional tube-and-wing design used by today’s Boeing and Airbus aircraft.

The proposed aircraft would have an enormous 85-meter wingspan—roughly 1.6 times wider than the B-2 Spirit—and a length of about 43 meters. It is designed with a target cruising speed of around Mach 0.8.

Researchers have already tested a 1:52 scale model inside a transonic wind tunnel, examining airflow, stability and aerodynamic performance at speeds reaching Mach 0.8.

The flying-wing configuration could potentially reduce aerodynamic drag and improve fuel efficiency by integrating the aircraft’s body and wings into a single aerodynamic shape.

However, there’s an important catch: this remains a research concept, and no full-scale passenger aircraft has been officially announced.

If developed successfully, though, the design could offer a glimpse into a very different future for commercial aviation.