There is a way out and it's called an electric jet-engine. In short, instead of generating the hot exhaust through a chemical combustion process (like a typical jet-engine), the exhaust gas comes from a plasma source powered by electricity.

In 2026, the concept of a "pure" electric jet engine—one that uses electricity to produce the massive thrust required for large commercial aircraft—is not yet a commercial reality, but significant strides have been made in hybrid and eVTOL technology. For long-haul flight, traditional jet fuel is still necessary because batteries are too heavy and have low energy density compared to liquid fuel. However, hybrid-electric jet engines are actively being tested. In January 2026, GE Aerospace reached a milestone in NASA's Power Extraction project, successfully demonstrating how electrical power can supplement a high-bypass turbofan during flight. Meanwhile, smaller eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft are expected to launch commercial urban air mobility services later this year. These use electric motors to drive fans or propellers, effectively acting as "electric jets" for short distances, but for a Boeing 787 to go fully electric, we still require a massive breakthrough in battery or hydrogen-electric fuel cell technology.