Winglet designs—a key technology in the aviation industry—have now landed in court. Aviation Partners, known for its innovative wingtip solutions, has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against European aerospace giant Airbus. The company claims that Airbus’s “Sharklet” designs used on its commercial jets are an unauthorised copy of the blended winglet technology co-developed with Boeing.
The Rise of Winglet Technology
Winglets revolutionised commercial aviation in the 1980s. First widely adopted on wide-body aircraft like the Boeing 747-400 and MD-11, these aerodynamic attachments reduced wingtip vortices, enhanced fuel efficiency, lowered drag, and cut operational costs.
This technological leap was documented under NASA’s spinoff programme, marking the beginning of a shift toward efficiency in the airline industry.
Boeing’s Blended Winglets and Commercial Success
In the 1990s, Boeing launched its Next-Generation 737 programme to compete with the A320, partnering with Aviation Partners to develop blended winglet designs. Initial testing began on Boeing Business Jets, and in 1998, commercial flights were introduced with Southwest Airlines.
This innovation delivered significant benefits, saving an average of 100,000 gallons of fuel per year per 737-700 aircraft. As demand surged in the 2000s, Boeing offered blended winglets across the entire Next-Generation 737 fleet.
Airbus’s Sharklet Development and Legal Dispute
In the early 2000s, Airbus used fence-type wingtip designs on the A320 to improve efficiency. However, in 2008, the company partnered with Aviation Partners for a joint test programme exploring the potential of blended winglets. Flight tests on a JetBlue A320 yielded mixed results, but development continued.
In 2012, Airbus introduced its Sharklet design and integrated it into the A320 family, drawing criticism from Aviation Partners and leading to legal action for patent infringement.
Following legal proceedings, Airbus retained the right to continue producing Sharklets but agreed to make an undisclosed financial settlement to Aviation Partners. The settlement allowed Airbus to continue using Sharklets across a broad range of models, including the A320neo series.
Economic and Environmental Impact of Winglet Technology
Blended winglets reduce fuel consumption by 4% to 6% compared to standard aircraft configurations, translating to significant savings in operational costs and lower carbon emissions.
While Boeing’s new 737 MAX series features advanced winglet designs, Airbus employs shorter, integrated wingtip devices on models like the A350 and A330neo. Both manufacturers remain locked in a race to boost efficiency through aerodynamic optimisation.
The Wingtip Race Continues
Airbus introduced its first Sharklet-equipped A320 in 2012, nearly 12 years after Boeing launched its first winglet-equipped models. Yet both manufacturers continue to push the boundaries of winglet technology.
Patent disputes highlight the commercial and strategic significance of winglet innovations. With rising fuel prices and increasing environmental pressures, airlines are under growing pressure to adopt more efficient solutions.
