Electric Passenger Plane Completes First Flight In US, Paving Way For Greener, Cheaper Air Travel

A passenger-carrying electric aircraft recently completed its first successful flight to New York's John F Kennedy (JFK) International Airport, signifying a major leap toward sustainable air travel, reported The Indian Express.

Beta Technologies, the operator, flew the aircraft from East Hampton to JFK earlier this month, covering approximately 130 kilometers (70 nautical miles) in just over 30 minutes.

Kyle Clark, founder and chief executive of Beta Technologies, piloted the flight. He stated, “This is a 100 per cent electric aeroplane that just flew from East Hampton to JFK with passengers on it, which was a first for the New York Port Authority and the New York area. We covered 70 odd nautical miles in 35 minutes.”

Clark highlighted the flight's affordability, with the journey costing only about $8 (around Rs 700), significantly less than a helicopter's $160 (Rs 13,885) fuel cost for the same distance. Passengers enjoyed a quiet trip, easily conversing due to the electric motors' reduced noise.

Clark explained that electric planes offer a cleaner, quieter, and more economical option for short-distance travel, promising a future of reduced road traffic and emissions. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has already established rules for pilot training and certification for these air taxis.