Video: This NASA Plane Could Replace the 737

NASA

Fly the friendly skies in a greener way, with NASA's Subsonic Ultra Green Aircraft Research plane.

Futuristic drones might be dominating the headlines, but other types of commercial aircraft are also seeing innovation.

Enter NASA's Subsonic Ultra Green Aircraft Research, or SUGAR, plane, which might one day take passengers around the world.

Developed in partnership with Boeing, this aircraft reduces noise levels and emissions. Its slender wings, which have a span of 150 feet, cut the fuel use by half, compared to other popular planes like the 737.

Frequent flyers will have to be patient, however. The airplane is still in the testing phase, having just completed wind tunnel testing at NASA's Ames Research Center. The space agency predicts it won't take to the skies until the year 2030.

To see the plane in action, check out the video below from CNET: