Skydweller Aero aims to produce the world's first commercially viable "pseudo-satellite" -- a solar-powered airplane capable of staying in the sky for months at a time. Skydweller is pictured landing after its first flight, in December 2020. The men on bikes are there to stabilize the aircraft by catching the poles protruding from the wing, a necessary step because of its tremendous wingspan.
Skydweller Aero aims to produce the world's first commercially viable "pseudo-satellite" -- a solar-powered airplane capable of staying in the sky for months at a time. Skydweller is pictured landing after its first flight, in December 2020. The men on bikes are there to stabilize the aircraft by catching the poles protruding from the wing, a necessary step because of its tremendous wingspan.
Skydweller Aero Inc.
Skydweller takes off during a test flight in April 2021. The US-Spanish companyis modifying the existing Solar Impulse 2 plane. Covered in more than 17,000 solar panels, Solar Impulse 2 has set numerous flight records.
Skydweller takes off during a test flight in April 2021. The US-Spanish companyis modifying the existing Solar Impulse 2 plane. Covered in more than 17,000 solar panels, Solar Impulse 2 has set numerous flight records.
Skydweller Aero Inc.
In 2016, Solar Impulse 2 circumnavigated the Earth without using a drop of fuel. It's pictured here on July 26, 2016, before landing in Abu Dhabi to complete its 26,000-mile (42,000-kilometer) journey.
In 2016, Solar Impulse 2 circumnavigated the Earth without using a drop of fuel. It's pictured here on July 26, 2016, before landing in Abu Dhabi to complete its 26,000-mile (42,000-kilometer) journey.
Jean Revillard/Solar Impulse 2/Getty Images
Skydweller is just one a number of aircraft being developed that can operate without using fossil fuels. ZEROe is a <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2Ftravel%2Farticle%2Fairbus-zero-emissions-concept-plane%2Findex.html" target="_blank">zero-emission concept aircraft from Airbus</a>.
Skydweller is just one a number of aircraft being developed that can operate without using fossil fuels. ZEROe is a zero-emission concept aircraft from Airbus.
Airbus
Airbus plans for three hydrogen-powered, zero-emission aircraft which can carry 100 to 200 passengers. It hopes to launch the first ZEROe aircraft in 2035.
Airbus plans for three hydrogen-powered, zero-emission aircraft which can carry 100 to 200 passengers. It hopes to launch the first ZEROe aircraft in 2035.
Courtesy Airbus
On September 24 2020, ZeroAvia flew the world's largest hydrogen-powered aircraft at Cranfield Airport in England, showing the possibilities of hydrogen fuel for aviation.
On September 24 2020, ZeroAvia flew the world's largest hydrogen-powered aircraft at Cranfield Airport in England, showing the possibilities of hydrogen fuel for aviation.
ZeroAvia
While some are exploring hydrogen power, others are testing electric planes. Washington State-based Eviation Aircraft is behind the nine-passenger all-electric Alice aircraft, which produces no carbon emissions.
While some are exploring hydrogen power, others are testing electric planes. Washington State-based Eviation Aircraft is behind the nine-passenger all-electric Alice aircraft, which produces no carbon emissions.
Eviation Aircraft
The aircraft, shown here as a rendering, has a range of 440 miles and is intended for feeder routes. It also comes in a cargo version; DHL Express has ordered 12 slated for service in 2024..
The aircraft, shown here as a rendering, has a range of 440 miles and is intended for feeder routes. It also comes in a cargo version; DHL Express has ordered 12 slated for service in 2024..
Eviation Aircraft
Alice's innovative interior won the "Cabin Concepts" category at the Crystal Cabin Award 2020.
Alice's innovative interior won the "Cabin Concepts" category at the Crystal Cabin Award 2020.
Courtesy Crystal Cabin Award
In December 2019, Vancouver-based seaplane company Harbour Air <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2Ftravel%2Farticle%2Felectric-commercial-aircraft-flight-scli-intl-scn%2Findex.html" target="_blank">made history</a> with the first all-electric commercial aircraft flight. The <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.harbourair.com%2Fharbour-air-and-magnix-announce-successful-flight-of-worlds-first-commercial-electric-airplane%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver seaplane</a>, which was first flown in 1947, was retrofitted with a 750 horsepower magni500 electric engine from magniX.
In December 2019, Vancouver-based seaplane company Harbour Air made history with the first all-electric commercial aircraft flight. The de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver seaplane, which was first flown in 1947, was retrofitted with a 750 horsepower magni500 electric engine from magniX.
Don MacKinnon/AFP/Getty Images
MagniX made headlines again in June 2020 when AeroTEC's nine-seater eCaravan -- powered by the <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.magnix.aero%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">magni500</a> electric propulsion system -- became the largest all-electric commercial aircraft to fly.
MagniX made headlines again in June 2020 when AeroTEC's nine-seater eCaravan -- powered by the magni500 electric propulsion system -- became the largest all-electric commercial aircraft to fly.
magniX
On March 25 2022, an Airbus A380, the world's largest commercial passenger airliner, completed a test flight powered entirely by SAF -- sustainable aviation fuel -- composed mainly of cooking oil.
On March 25 2022, an Airbus A380, the world's largest commercial passenger airliner, completed a test flight powered entirely by SAF -- sustainable aviation fuel -- composed mainly of cooking oil.
Airbus
While energy sources are still evolving, UK-based Faradair Aerospace is developing a design to squeeze the maximum efficiency out of whichever fuel prevails.
While energy sources are still evolving, UK-based Faradair Aerospace is developing a design to squeeze the maximum efficiency out of whichever fuel prevails.
Faradair Aerospace
Faradair's 18-passenger BEHA aircraft, made from lightweight composite and shown here in a rendering, can carry a five-ton payload and has a 1,150-mile range.
Faradair's 18-passenger BEHA aircraft, made from lightweight composite and shown here in a rendering, can carry a five-ton payload and has a 1,150-mile range.
Faradair Aerospace