Abstract This review explores a variety of techniques that utilize air injections beneath a vessel’s hull to reduce drag and consequently improve energy efficiency. It focuses on the methodologies of microbubble drag reduction (MBDR), air layer drag reduction (ALDR), and air cavity drag reduction (ACDR), offering insights into their design, operational mechanisms, and potential applications. This review provides a detailed examination of the underlying principles of these technologies, incorporating a blend of experimental research, numerical simulations, and mathematical modelling to offer a comprehensive understanding. It references recent experimental data, highlighting how these findings corroborate with numerical simulations and are further explained through mathematical models. Conclusively, this review accentuates the transformative influence of air injection methods in drag reduction within the maritime industry, emphasizing their pivotal role in boosting operational efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and driving the evolution of naval design and transportation. Through a balanced and detailed analysis, this review provides a holistic view of the current state and future prospects of these innovative resistance reduction strategies. Keywords: air lubrication; drag reduction; air cavity; microbubble; air layer; sustainability; CFD