All-electric aircraft makes historic landing at JFK Airport
- Sara Habib
- June 5, 2025
- 11:48 am
- 39
- Trending
The first Electric Aircraft JFK passenger flight landed quietly at JFK Airport this week. It flew from East Hampton to Queens using only $8 worth of electricity. This 49-minute journey could change how we travel in the future.
A New Way to Fly
BETA Technologies built the aircraft. Kyle Clark, the company’s CEO and pilot, led the test flight. He founded the company in 2017 to make flying electric, quiet, and safe.
The plane, called ALIA, is small and sleek. It can carry four passengers and a pilot. It also takes off like a helicopter or a normal plane. This makes it very flexible.
Made for the City
Unlike older noisy helicopters, this electric aircraft is almost silent. That’s why it can land in places where helicopters cannot. Rooftops, city centers, or even near homes could soon be possible landing spots.
In fact, ALIA landed at JFK — one of the busiest and most controlled airports in the U.S. The aircraft handled air traffic instructions just like big commercial jets.
Saving Costs and the Planet
The flight used very little power. Just $8 of electricity. That makes it much cheaper than fuel-powered planes. Even better, it creates no air pollution.
BETA says the aircraft is safer too. Fewer moving parts mean fewer things can break. That helps cut the cost of operation.
What’s Coming Next
Vertical takeoffs are also being tested. BETA hopes to start short commercial flights in the next two years.
The company is already working with partners like UPS and Air New Zealand. It has spent up to $500 million on development and charging stations.
Soon, 46 electric charging sites will stretch across the U.S. More are being built.
Why This Matters for New York
Blade, a leading urban air company, sees big value in quiet flights. They could make travel easier for both city and country residents.
Instead of sitting in traffic, people might fly from Midtown to JFK in minutes. That future may be closer than we think.
Electric flight could be the next big thing — just like jet engines were decades ago.
