The blended-wing, hyper-efficient airliner Horizon Evo has redesigned by developer Natilus to include two distinct decks, one for passengers that features larger overhead storage and windows, and an all-new lower cargo deck.
In an update issued on February 10, 2026, San Diego-based Natilus announced the advancement of its Horizon Evo design after what it described as “critical feedback” from the Federal Aviation Administration and airline customers. According to Natilus, the change to two decks allows for additional emergency exits (a key issue for the FAA) and better integration with existing airport infrastructure (important for airline customers).
The company said that these changes enable it to offer a wider cabin for passengers, while still handling freight in a way that will integrate with existing ground equipment. Natilus noted the updated design can carry 12 LD3-45 containers on the lower deck and 16 AAA containers on the upper deck, depending on the aircraft’s configuration.
Natilus framed the changes as a response to what it called “recent and real pain points” in commercial aviation. CEO and co-founder Aleksey Matyushev said that the company’s discussions with the FAA and customers pushed the design toward what he called “dual-deck practicality, egress certifiability, and turnaround times”. He added that the updated configuration puts the program on “a clear path to commercial certification”.
A spec sheet for the new design released by the company positions the Horizon Evo as a narrowbody-sized airplane in capacity, but with a much wider cabin. Natilus lists seating for 150 passengers in a three-class layout, 200 in two-class, or 250 in an all-economy configuration. In economy, it shows a 4-by-3 seating layout. Natilus lists a cabin width of 26 feet and cabin height of 7 feet. The aircraft would be 110 feet long with a 118-foot wingspan and a gate class of C4, a detail included by the company to underline its belief that the aircraft can operate from existing gates.
Natilus lists a cruise speed of Mach 0.78 or higher and a cruise altitude of 35,000 feet, with the airplane set to run on jet-A or sustainable aviation fuel. In terms of propulsion, the company listed either Pratt & Whitney PW1500G geared turbofans or CFM LEAP engines. It also claims that the aircraft would have an all-glass flight deck and fly-by-wire flight controls.
The company expects the Horizon Evo to enter commercial service in the early 2030s.
Dennis Muilenburg, CEO of New Vista Capital and former Boeing CEO, said in the release that the industry is heading toward a gap between demand and production capacity, describing the Horizon Evo as a “transformative design” that could help better meet future market demand.
The company also said that its blended-wing-body designs could reduce fuel burn by 30% and operating costs by 50% while increasing payload capacity by 40%. Natilus claims to have logged more than 570 pre-orders, valued at $24 billion, across its aircraft family.
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