Beta Technologies, an electric aviation startup, has so far focused on building aircraft to carry cargo and medical supplies. But now, they’re expanding their vision to include transporting passengers.
Beta mainly builds electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. These don’t need a runway—think of them as a mix between a helicopter and a plane. They call their aircraft the ALIA VTOL.
They also have the ALIA CTOL, which takes off like a traditional airplane, but their main focus is the innovative eVTOL. The idea is to customize the interior based on what’s being transported—whether cargo or people—by rearranging the seats or storage space.
Beta Technologies has partnered with organizations like UPS and the U.S. Air Force to transport cargo, with plans to start next year. But even before launching that phase, they’re already looking ahead.
“Flying passengers has always been a part of the plan,” said Beta’s founder and CEO, Kyle Clark, to TechCrunch. “We designed everything in the aircraft with passenger safety and space in mind. It just made more sense to start with medical and cargo transport before moving on to passengers.”
The passenger version of the ALIA VTOL will carry up to five passengers plus a pilot, making it like an airborne taxi, with room for luggage. While it won’t take you from New York to London, it can easily handle shorter trips like New York to Philadelphia.
Before that, we’ll need to see their official launch for cargo and medical transport, which is planned for 2025.
