Beta Technologies’ all‑electric Alia CX300 has achieved a major aviation milestone, completing the first-ever passenger‑carrying flight of a fixed‑wing electric plane. On June 3, it flew four people from East Hampton to JFK Airport—a 70‑nautical‑mile (130 km) trip—in just over 30 minutes for only $8 (₹694), compared to ₹13,885 (\$160) for a helicopter fuel equivalent .
Cruising quietly through Class B airspace, the CX300 allowed passengers to converse normally—thanks to its silent electric propulsion . With a wingspan of 50 ft, it can carry five passengers and has demonstrated a range of at least 336 nm (around 620 km) in test flights totaling 22,000 miles
Beta aims for FAA type certification by late 2026 and plans customer deliveries—including Air New Zealand and Bristow—for medical, cargo, and passenger missions ([revolution.aero][3]). The CX300’s success marks a major leap toward affordable, low‑noise, zero‑emission regional air travel and could reshape commuting in congested areas with convenient electric corridors and vertiport networks.
