130 km in 30 minutes for just Rs 700: First electric passenger plane lands in US
A passenger-carrying electric aircraft has completed its first successful flight to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, marking a significant step towards sustainable air travel. The flight, operated by Beta Technologies, flew from East Hampton to JFK earlier this month, covering about 70 nautical miles (130 km) in just over 30 minutes, according to Fox News.
Kyle Clark, founder and chief executive of Beta Technologies, was at the controls during the flight. He told Fox News, 'This is a 100% 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 also pointed out how affordable the flight was. Charging the aircraft and making the journey cost just around $8 (about ₹700), far cheaper than a helicopter, which would have cost about $160 (₹13,885) in fuel for the same distance.
🇺🇸HISTORIC ALL-ELECTRIC FLIGHT LANDS AT JFK
An all-electric aircraft made a landmark landing at JFK Airport on Tuesday, marking the first such arrival at the New York hub.
Vermont-based Beta Technologies' Alia CX300 took off from Suffolk County for a 45-minute flight.
CEO… https://t.co/TdhICNy6ux pic.twitter.com/7MEWGBqwkG
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) June 4, 2025
Passengers on board were able to talk easily during the flight, thanks to the quieter electric motors compared to conventional aircraft engines.
Beta Technologies, based in Vermont and founded in 2017, has been developing electric aircraft for both conventional takeoff and landing and vertical takeoff and landing. The company recently raised $318 million to support production, certification and commercial operations.
The CX300, the aircraft that flew to JFK, can travel up to 250 nautical miles on a single charge. The company hopes to secure certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by the end of the year.
Clark explained that electric planes could offer a cleaner, quieter, and cheaper way to travel for short journeys between cities or suburbs. The lower operating cost and reduced noise could make them popular with commuters and those living near airports.
Transport companies are also looking at using electric aircraft for city flights that can take off and land vertically, helping reduce road traffic and emissions. The FAA has already put rules in place for pilot training and certification for these air taxis.
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