BETA offers early look at passenger variant

BETA has unveiled an early look at the passenger layout of its Alia eVTOL aircraft. 

The company is taking a staged approach to passenger aircraft service entry and plans to enter its cargo- and medical-focused variant as soon as 2025, with the passenger aircraft unveiled today following at a later date.

“At BETA, we see electric aviation technology as transcending one single mission set,” said Kyle Clark, BETA’s founder and CEO. “We designed Alia to be a versatile platform that has tons of capability across sectors, and now we’re starting to step into that vision. With their high dispatch rate and low maintenance and operational energy costs, our electric passenger aircraft will unlock new routes for operators, further increasing the size of the pie.”

The firm’s passenger-focused aircraft is designed to be able to carry up to five passengers plus a pilot. Despite accommodating an extra passenger versus many of the other leading eVTOL developers, BETA says the cabin also has volume to accommodate carry-on as well as TSA secure luggage. 

The variant will also be certified for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations and will be capable of all-weather flying with FIKI certification.

BETA foresees a variety of missions for its passenger variant, including intra-city and regional transport routes. Its design team has been working with legacy operators to inform the finished product for several years, it added.

New York-based helicopter operator, Blade became BETA’s first passenger customer when it placed a financially-backed order for up to 20 aircraft in 2021. 

Since then, LCI has announced that it will be using Alia to transport guests to the Aria Hotels in Greece. Whilst Helijet has placed a firm order for four aircraft with an option for four more – with the intention of using them for both cargo and passenger missions.

Recently, BETA brought new electric chargers online at three partner airports in Florida: Tallahassee, Gainesville Regional Airport and Bob Sikes Airport. To mark this and “recognise the momentum” being made towards AAM in Florida, BETA hosted an event at Tallahassee International Airport in partnership with Million Air. The firm was joined by representatives from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Tallahassee City and United Therapeutics amongst others.