Latest news with #ALIA
New York Post
04-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Whisper-quiet electric helicopter-plane could turn NYC into ‘The Jetsons'
On Tuesday morning, the first-ever passenger flight of an electric-powered plane in North America glided down onto the tarmac at JFK with little more than a whisper. The quiet milestone has big implications for the future of aviation. 'We've drastically lowered the cost of flying, increased the safety and reduced the noise of the airplane — all concurrently,' Kyle Clark, the pilot of the flight and CEO of electric aerospace company BETA Technologies, told NYNext. 6 ALIA, an electric-powered plane, took off on the first ever North American passenger flight Tuesday morning. In 49 minutes, the plane traveled from East Hampton to JFK. Courtesy of BETA Technologies The 49-minute, 72-nautical mile jaunt from East Hampton to Queens was fueled by just $8 worth of electricity, but it was the culmination of years of development. Clark, a 45-year-old entrepreneur who studied engineering at Harvard, launched BETA Technologies in 2017 with the aim of developing electric-powered aircraft and the infrastructure to support them. He's since raised more than $1 billion in funding from investors such as the Qatar Investment Authority, Fidelity, and Amazon. 6 Kyle Clark, pilot of the flight and CEO of electric aerospace company BETA Technologies, spoke at a press conference after ALIA landed at JFK. In interviews with NYNext, he said, 'Creating a new form of air transportation will be transformative for society.' Courtesy of BETA Technologies In 2018, design began on the ALIA, a sleek, electric-powered aircraft that can seat five — four passengers and one pilot — and take off both horizontally, like a traditional plane, and vertically, like a helicopter or military jump jet. The latter is accomplished with the addition of four modular propellers mounted atop the aircraft that give it the look of a giant drone. 'I would never compare ourselves to the Wright brothers,' Clark said, 'but creating a new form of air transportation will be transformative for society.' ALIA are manufactured in Burlington, VT. And while there are others working to build similar vessels, Clark said that Beta is the only company in North America producing at scale. 6 ALIA has the capacity to ascend and descend vertically, like a helicopter, when rotors are added to the top of the plane. The configuration was not used during Tuesday's flight. Courtesy of BETA Technologies Thus far, the plane has completed 8,000-nautical miles worth of flights — many of them out of a small airport in Plattsburgh, NY. But Clark selected JFK as the landing site for Tuesday's flight to demonstrate the plane's true potential. 'It would have been too easy to fly between two minor class airports,' said Clark, who started taking pilot lessons in his early 20s, after dropping out of Harvard, to play professional ice hockey for three years. 'And to do so wouldn't really show the world that the FAA, the Port Authority and the controllers at JFK are ready for this new form of air travel.' 6 Executive Director of the Port Authority Rick Cotton spoke at the post-flight press conference at JFK. Clark said that landing at JFK, Class B airspace, required matching commercial jet approach speeds and altitudes while responding to air traffic control without deviation or delay. Courtesy of BETA Technologies At JFK, ALIA had to integrate seamlessly into Class B airspace — the most tightly controlled in the U.S., matching commercial jet approach speeds and altitudes while responding to air traffic control without deviation or delay. More remarkable than the plane's compliance with commercial protocols is its quiet nature. Until 1977, New Yorkers could fly from Midtown to the city's major airports, including JFK and Newark. Today, heliports are largely confined to the city's periphery because of noise concerns. Quiet aircraft, though, could mean that ports could be built in denser, more convenient locations. Blade, who works with BETA and other leading aircraft manufacturers, is planning on it. 'Quiet and emission-free aircraft will not only mitigate noise issues that concern New York and East End residents, but it will also make flying more affordable and accessible to the public,' Blade CEO Rob Wiesenthal said. While Tuesday's flight took off and landed horizontally, other test flights have ascended and descended vertically; vertical passenger flights are expected within the next year, and commercial service with the ALIA is expected within the next two years. 6 Aboard the flight Tuesday was Blade CEO Rob Wiesenthal. He told NYNext that, 'Quiet and emission-free aircraft will not only mitigate noise issues that concern New York and East End residents, but it will also make flying more affordable and accessible to the public.' Courtesy of BETA Technologies 'There are many, many safety thresholds that we have to cross on our way to get there,' said Clark. 'But we're rendering the recurring cost of operation to be pretty small — and that's after you increase the safety and reduce the noise.' BETA has already signed agreements or entered into partnerships with various companies, including UPS and Air New Zealand. The research and development that went into getting ALIA to this point, Clark estimated, cost BETA somewhere in the ballpark of $300 to 500 million. A similar amount, he told NYNext, went toward building a charging network. In addition to the 46 operational sites stretching from Monterey County, CA., to Gainesville, FL., to Portland, Maine. — each able to fully charge ALIA in under an hour and support electric vehicles like Teslas — another 50 are in permitting or construction phases. 6 Clark is congratulated at the conclusion of Tuesday's flight, which featured horizontal take off and landing. Vertical passenger flights are expected within the next year. Courtesy of BETA Technologies While BETA's long-term goal is to enable short-haul electric flights across the U.S. and beyond, Clark's current focus is squarely on New York. The ALIA could quietly land on vertiports on rooftops, ferrying passengers from Midtown to JFK with ease. Clark envisions a city connected by air — ala 'The Jetsons' — not someday but soon. This story is part of NYNext, an indispensable insider insight into the innovations, moonshots and political chess moves that matter most to NYC's power players (and those who aspire to be). Electrification, he believes, is aviation's next great leap, a long overdue new chapter after the jet age made flight global in the mid 20th century. 'This really has all the legs,' he said, 'to be a meaningful mode of transport for New Yorkers.' Send NYNext a tip: nynextlydia@
The Star
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Beta Technologies conducts first all-electric aircraft landing
Aerospace manufacturer BETA Technologies' electric aircraft, ALIA, taxis at John F. Kennedy Airport with the lower Manhattan skyline in the background in New York City, U.S., June 3, 2025. It is the first Advanced Air Mobility flight into JFK Airport. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper (Reuters) - Beta Technologies became the first U.S. company to land an all-electric aircraft at an airport in the New York-New Jersey region, the company and port authorities said in Tuesday. The flight to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport flew 45 minutes with a pilot and four people, they said in a statement. Transportation companies, including airlines, are looking to develop services using electric battery-powered aircraft that can take off and land vertically to ferry travelers for short city trips, allowing them to beat traffic. In October, the Federal Aviation Administration finalized comprehensive training and pilot certification rules for flying air taxis, calling it "the final piece in the puzzle for safely introducing these aircraft in the near term." In the same month, Beta raised $318 million in equity capital to fund production, certification, and commercialization of electric aircraft, bringing its total raised value to more than $1 billion. The Vermont-based company was founded in 2017. "After years of rigorous safety testing in all types of environments, we're proud to stand here with the Port Authority and the city of New York to demonstrate exactly how this aircraft can serve cities by easing congestion, reducing emissions, and increasing accessibility," Kyle Clark, CEO and founder of the privately held company, said in the statement. (Reporting by Aishwarya Jain in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel)
West Australian
07-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Air New Zealand anniversary & sale
Air New Zealand is celebrating 85 years of flying to Australia with a sale. A spokesperson from the airline says there are fares from Perth to Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington from $575. The sale runs until May 9, or until sold out. The spokesperson says: 'Alongside the sale, we are reflecting on our rich history, iconic moments, and the milestones that have shaped both the airline and the aviation industry. 'From being the first commercial airline to carry a reigning British monarch in 1995, to introducing the Skycouch in 2011, and becoming the first commercial customer of the 787-9 Dreamliner in 2014, Air New Zealand's legacy blends technological innovation with exceptional service. 'More recently, the airline celebrated cultural inclusion, offering flights in Te Reo Maori and New Zealand Sign Language, while also unveiling new uniforms by Emilia Wickstead.' 10 ICONIC MOMENTS 1950 A pot of tea at 30,000 feet. On the Coral Route, Air New Zealand (then TEAL) becomes the first airline to successfully boil water mid-flight. 1984 ANZ pioneer long-haul flying between Auckland and Los Angeles on a Boeing 747. Before 1984, a flight to Los Angeles meant a stopover in either Nadi, Tahiti or Honolulu to refuel. 1995 Queen Elizabeth II makes history when she flies with ANZ on a scheduled commercial flight from London to Auckland via Los Angeles, the first routine commercial service used by a reigning British monarch. 2011 ANZ introduces the Skycouch. Economy seats with an adjustable leg rest that can be raised or lowered to create a lie-flat couch space. 2015 The innovative Airband is introduced. It is a digital wristband providing real-time updates to caregivers of unaccompanied minors at every stage of their journey in 2015. 2023 ANZ announces the ALIA as the airline's first purchase of a next-generation aircraft. ALIA is battery-powered and part of ANZ's Mission Next Gen Aircraft program. The purchase cements the airline's commitment to flying lower-emissions aircraft in New Zealand. 2023-2024 Cultural and language inclusions come with two landmark flights — the first ever conducted in Te Reo Maori (2023) and the first delivered in New Zealand Sign Language (2024). 2025 New uniforms by Emilia Wickstead. In a bold refresh of its visual identity, ANZ unveils its new uniforms, the garments paying homage to Aotearoa with Matariki constellation motifs, huia feathers, and purapura whetu patterns. It includes the introduction of the ie faitaga, a traditional formal lavalava, for Pasifika team members. 2025 World's first nose to tail retrofit of 787-9 Dreamliner. Air New Zealand chief executive officer Greg Foran says: 'While much has changed since our first flight back in 1940, what hasn't changed is the joy we get from bringing people together. 'As we look ahead to the future, we're still full of energy, ideas, and that Kiwi ingenuity that keeps us exploring.' fact file Air New Zealand's 85th Birthday Sale runs until 9.59pm WST on May 9, 2025, unless sold out prior. Seats are strictly limited and not available on all flights and dates. Travel periods apply.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
US state partners with futuristic aviation company to revolutionize air travel ahead of 2034 Olympics: 'Cutting-edge innovations'
Utah is making moves to be at the forefront of sustainable aviation ahead of the state's global showcase at the 2034 Winter Olympics. EV Magazine reported Utah Aerospace & Defense and BETA Technologies signed an agreement to collaborate on electric aircraft and charging infrastructure. "Utah is at the epicenter of cutting-edge innovations in the commercial aviation industry that will play a critical role in Utah's economic future," Utah governor Stephen Cox said. "We are not just embracing the future of transportation—we are leading it." To that end, EV Magazine revealed the pact includes plans for a state-wide charging network, pilot training programs, and forecast models to assist flight operations. Flight demonstrations and public education initiatives round out the agreement. Interestingly, BETA Technologies' Charge Cubes aren't just limited to use for aviation, as they can also work with electric ground vehicles. Still, the most exciting part of the collaboration is potentially unveiling the future of aviation. "Utah has a long legacy of excellence in aerospace, which BETA already knows first-hand as many components of our ALIA aircraft are built here," company founder Kyle Clark said. BETA Technologies is just one of many companies tapping into electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) and electric conventional take-off and landing (eCTOL) aircraft. Their ALIA aircraft is an eCTOL model already doing test flights while proving capable of carrying five passengers or 1,250 pounds of cargo. New-age aviation solutions like these are turning heads as they produce no pollution while in operation and could provide a clean way to transport humans or goods while lowering road congestion. Considering aviation creates about 4% of our carbon pollution, electric or hydrogen-powered aircraft can make a difference in slowing the warming of the planet. Would you want EV-charging roads installed in your town? Sign me up Depends how much it costs No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. EVTOLs add increased versatility, akin to a helicopter, in which they can land and take off in more places while making minimal noise. EVs Magazine pointed out that the advanced aviation industry is set to swell to a remarkable $1.5 trillion by 2040. Utah is projecting that the partnership will deliver 11,000 new full-time jobs and $8 billion in new business activity by 2045. Jim Grover of the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity called the deal a "pivotal moment" in the state's history. "The opportunity will transform how we travel, connecting our talented workforce across regions, improving healthcare access and assisting with energy development in rural areas," Grover declared. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
