As the world seeks ways to combat climate change and lower the global carbon footprint, hydrogen is emerging as a promising solution. A recent study published in the International Journal of Sustainable Aviation by a team from the UK and Romania delves into the potential of hydrogen-powered aircraft configurations. The research team analyzed the performance of an ATR 72-600 aircraft using different propulsion systems, including traditional jet fuel, direct hydrogen combustion, and hydrogen fuel cells. Their findings revealed that both direct hydrogen combustion and hydrogen fuel cells significantly reduce fuel mass, with reductions of 80% and 50%, respectively, compared to jet fuel. This efficiency is attributed to hydrogen's higher energy density. However, the study highlighted a challenge - the increased weight from hydrogen storage adversely affects the overall performance of the aircraft. With the aviation industry responsible for 2–3% of global CO2 emissions, and this figure projected to double by 2050, the imperative to adopt sustainable practices, such as hydrogen-powered aircraft, is critical in mitigating emissions and promoting environmental sustainability.