London, UK - A liquid hydrogen-powered plane is being developed in an attempt to operate non-stop zero carbon transatlantic flights, which is a perfect example of one of the sectors where green hydrogen can shine, and could even keep us flying without wrecking the climate.

The midsize aircraft is being designed to carry 279 passengers at the same speed and comfort as today's airliners.

It is hoped it could fly from London to San Francisco on the west coast of the US without stopping, or from London to New Zealand with one refueling stop.

The plane is being developed through the 15-million-pound ($19.8 million) government-funded FlyZero project led by the Aerospace Technology Institute, based in Cranfield, UK.

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The initiative's director Chris Gear said: "At a time of global focus on tackling climate change, our midsize concept sets out a truly revolutionary vision for the future of global air travel keeping families, businesses and nations connected without the carbon footprint."

Designs of the aircraft have been unveiled ahead of the fourth meeting of the Jet Zero Council, which is chaired by the UK's Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and features ministers and aviation leaders working together with the aim of reducing the sector's carbon emissions.

The project claims that it is working to use renewable, or green, hydrogen. The only direct waste product from using liquid hydrogen as a jet fuel is water, so if FlyZero comes through on using green hydrogen, then the next jet fuel will really just emit water.

Shapps said: "As we build back greener, it's crucial that we place sustainability at the heart of the aviation industry's recovery from Covid-19."