First electric plane carries passengers, flies 130 km for just ₹700
In a breakthrough for sustainable aviation, Beta Technologies' Alia CX300 has become the first all-electric aircraft to successfully fly passengers, covering a 130-kilometre route in the US for the cost of just ₹ 694 ($8), Fox News reported
The 30-minute flight—from East Hampton to New York's JFK Airport—carried four passengers and marks a historic first for both the New York Port Authority and the broader electric aviation sector. In stark contrast, a similar trip via helicopter would typically cost over ₹ 13,000 ($160) in fuel alone.
'Charging this thing up and flying out here cost us about $8,' said Kyle Clark, founder and CEO of Beta Technologies. 'Of course, you have to pay for the pilot and the airplane, but fundamentally, it's way less expensive.'
Beyond cost, the electric aircraft offered another perk: near-silent flight. With no roaring engines or fuel combustion, passengers were able to hold conversations with ease—a potential game-changer for short-haul business or commuter air travel.
Beta Technologies, based in Vermont, has been developing electric aviation tech since 2017. It recently raised $318 million in funding to accelerate the production, certification, and commercial rollout of its fleet. The CX300, designed for conventional takeoff and landing, is expected to receive FAA certification by the end of the year.
The aircraft can fly up to 250 nautical miles (about 463 km) on a single charge, positioning it as a strong contender for short intra-city and inter-city routes.
While the CX300 leads in the conventional aircraft category, Beta is also developing the Alia 250 eVTOL, a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft designed for urban mobility.
Beta's success comes amid growing competition in the electric aviation space. Archer Aviation, for instance, was recently announced as the official air taxi partner for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, with plans to launch network operations by 2026, pending FAA certification.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Delta Air Lines set to inspect over 100 aircraft after severe storms hit Atlanta airport
Delta Air Lines is set to conduct inspections for more than 100 aircraft after severe weather in the Atlanta region has caused major problems for the company. On Friday night, storms brought quarter-inch hail to the region, according to a WRDW report. During the storm, the affected planes of the airline remained grounded. Now, the airline needs to inspect its aircraft before it goes ahead with its scheduled journeys. Delta Air Lines will inspect over 100 aircraft after severe storms caused significant disruptions at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. (Photo by JOE RAEDLE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP) An employee from Delta Air Lines, headquartered in Atlanta, informed that the firm's maintenance teams were working swiftly through the backlog. Also read: Man risks life to save stepkids from home explosion, suffers severe burns on 92% of body What happened to Delta Air Lines amid severe storms? On Friday, operations at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the busiest around the world, were severely disrupted after the region was hit by thunderstorms. This led to the temporary evacuation of the air traffic control tower. FlightAware, a flight tracking platform, highlighted over 1,000 delays and more than 170 cancellations at the Atlanta airport by Friday evening. The airport witnessed the flight delays and cancellations during the key travel weekends of the summer, FOX 5 Atlanta reported. Thousands of passengers were looking forward to the Fourth of July holiday. However, a flash flood warning was issued in parts of Atlanta. Departures were delayed by 16 to 30 minutes and were increasing by late in the evening, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said. Meanwhile, arrivals were delayed by an average of 1 hour and 15 minutes at one point. All inbound flights to Atlanta remained grounded at their departure airports until at least 12 AM EDT on Saturday, officials said. Due to strong winds, personnel were evacuated from the control tower at the airport, the FAA noted. Statement from authorities A statement from the agency said, "Air traffic controllers have returned to the Atlanta control tower after the FAA evacuated most personnel due to strong winds... A few controllers remained in the facility to handle inbound aircraft." Tim Turner, a spokesperson for the airport, said that only two controllers were present in the tower to maintain communication, while all others were safely evacuated. Later on, the tower resumed operations as normal. Delta Air Lines operates more than 900 flights on a daily basis from Atlanta. It stated that over 90 of them were diverted due to lightning and high winds. FAQs 1. Are Delta Air Lines' operations back to normal on Saturday? The airline has warned that delays and cancellations could continue into Saturday morning amid aircraft repositioning. 2. How many flights were affected due to the storm in Atlanta? FlightAware reported more than 1,000 delays and over 170 cancellations at the airport by Friday evening. 3. What should passengers do next? Travelers are advised to check the FAA's airspace status page and get in touch with the airline for real-time updates.
NDTV
20 hours ago
- NDTV
Pics: Bill Gates, Girlfriend Paula Hurd At Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez Wedding
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and his girlfriend Paula Hurd made a striking appearance together at a wedding welcome party for Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez. Bill Gates and Paula Hurd were photographed hand in hand at the exclusive pre-wedding event, which was held in a historic cloister next to the iconic Madonna dell'Orto church in Venice. Mr Gates, 61, opted for a classic black suit paired with a white shirt, while Ms Hurd looked elegant in a black off-shoulder dress, which she adorned with a sleek pearl necklace and subtle earrings. Invitados a la boda Lauren y Jeff Bezos - Rania de Jordania - Bill Gates y Paula Hurd #bezoswedding — Eric Cartman (@Cartman_Freedom) June 27, 2025 The two were accompanied by other high-profile guests, including Oprah Winfrey, Kris Jenner, Corey Gamble, Tom Brady, Orlando Bloom, the Kardashian sisters and Gayle King. Jeff Bezos got married to Lauren Sanchez on Saturday at a star-studded ceremony on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice. The celebrations are expected to end on June 28 with a grand farewell party, likely at the Arsenale, a former naval site which is now famous for its art exhibitions. According to a Reuters report, Mr Bezos's wedding is estimated to cost around $55 million, making it one of the most expensive weddings of the year. Reports state that Lauren Sanchez has prepared 27 outfits to wear for her festivities. Jeff Bezos had been staying at the luxury 16th-century palazzo on the Grand Canal with a view of the Rialto Bridge. Bill Gates and Paula Hurd also reportedly attended Mr Bezos's engagement party in 2023, which was held on the Amazon founder's $500 million superyacht on the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Mr Gates confirmed his relationship in February this year, referring to Paula Hurd as his "serious girlfriend", four years after his divorce from Melinda Gates. He said, "I'm lucky to have a serious girlfriend named Paula. We're having fun. Going to the Olympics and lots of great things." The couple was first seen together in 2022 at the Laver Cup, then at the Australian Open in 2023, before making their red carpet debut in 2024.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Who is Paula Hurd, Bill Gates's girlfriend? Net worth, career, and the life she built
Paula Hurd and Bill Gates have attended various elite gatherings, including Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's engagement party in August 2023 The woman everyone's curious about ever since she stepped into the spotlight as Bill Gates's girlfriend. But here's the thing: she's way more than just a billionaire's plus one. From climbing the corporate ladder to championing philanthropy and quietly shaping the tennis world, Paula has lived a life packed with purpose, love, and resilience. Born on April 27, 1962, Paula Kalupa (that's her maiden name) grew up far from the tech headlines and paparazzi cameras. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin back in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. Her professional journey kicked off at NCR Corporation, a big player in tech and finance. She spent nearly two decades there, working her way up in sales and alliance management. It was a grind—but it paid off. Paula wasn't just a corporate employee, she became a key player, leading big deals and strategic partnerships. But career success is only one chapter of her story. In 1990, she married Mark Hurd, the man who would go on to lead both Hewlett-Packard and Oracle as CEO. The two were a power couple in every sense. Together, they raised two daughters, Kathryn and Kelly— Kathryn's an investigative journalist and Kelly once worked with Visa. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Run Your Business Like a Pro - Top Trending Accounting Software (Check Now) Accounting ERP Click Here Undo In 2019, Mark passed away after a battle with cancer, as per reorts. Paula was left a widow—but instead of retreating from public life, she leaned into the things that mattered most to them both: family, philanthropy, and purpose. She continued her work through Hurd Family Investments (also known as MPH Investments), helping manage portfolios and creating large-scale charitable events. But what really lights her up is tennis. Paula currently chairs the Universal Tennis Foundation, where she works to support student-athletes and wheelchair tennis players. Her love for the sport runs deep—so deep, in fact, that it played a surprising role in the next chapter of her life. Enter Bill Gates. The two were first spotted together at tennis tournaments like the BNP Paribas Open and Indian Wells in 2021. Rumors started to swirl, but it wasn't until early 2023 that the relationship was officially confirmed. And then, in February 2025, Gates said it out loud during an interview on The Today Show: 'I'm lucky to have a serious girlfriend named Paula. We're having fun, going to the Olympics…' The world took notice. But here's what most people miss—Paula didn't suddenly become influential because she started dating one of the richest men on the planet. She was already making big moves. She and her late husband donated $7 million to Baylor University (their alma mater), funding everything from basketball pavilions to the flashy new welcome center that opened in 2023. She's been a quiet but impactful force in the education and nonprofit world. Paula Hurd net worth As per reports, her net worth is estimated to be between $4 million and $35 million, with many sources pegging it closer to $35 million. Some estimates go up to $50 million, though the $35M figure is most consistently cited. A good chunk of this wealth comes from her tech sales career and smart investments. The rest? Likely inherited from Mark Hurd, whose own net worth at the time of his death was estimated between $150 and $500 million. Now, Paula lives a relatively low-key life considering who she's dating. She's not chasing clout, not flooding your social feeds, and she's certainly not hopping on talk shows. Instead, she's seen courtside at tennis matches, showing up at philanthropic events, and occasionally walking into high-society functions next to Bill Gates—often in understated, elegant style.
