easyJet and Rolls-Royce have completed a full-power hydrogen engine test in what the companies describe as an aviation industry first, moving hydrogen propulsion closer to potential future commercial aircraft use.

The partners tested a modified Rolls-Royce Pearl 15 engine running on 100% hydrogen at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, with the engine reaching full take-off power during testing.

The work forms part of a four-year programme involving easyJet, Rolls-Royce and several global partners aimed at exploring hydrogen as an aviation fuel and understanding how modern gas turbines perform using hydrogen combustion.

Engineers demonstrated that the engine could safely complete a fully simulated flight cycle on gaseous hydrogen, including start-up, take-off, cruise and landing phases. The programme focused on a staged testing approach, progressing from early UK engine trials at Boscombe Down in 2022 to broader European component and system testing before integration into a full demonstrator engine.

Rolls-Royce also examined modifications needed to replace conventional jet fuel with hydrogen while assessing both carbon and non-CO2 impacts through a wider combustion development programme.

The companies say the work has generated data and engineering insight covering hydrogen combustion, fuel systems and engine integration that could support future hydrogen-powered aircraft alongside wider Sustainable Aviation Fuel adoption.

David Morgan, chief operating officer at easyJet, says: “This industry-first is a real testament to the progress our partnership with Rolls-Royce has achieved, taking hydrogen from early concept through to full engine build and successful testing in just a few years. Demonstrating 100% hydrogen operation at scale is a significant milestone and marks an important step towards easyJet’s net zero ambition, supporting the long-term transition to more sustainable aviation.”