Successful test of hybrid aircraft at over 9,100 metres altitude. In collaboration with NASA, Beta Technologies, and Boeing, GE Aerospace has conducted the world's first hybrid-electric flight at 30,000 feet (9,144 meters) - becoming the first provider to reach the same altitude as kerosene-powered passenger aircraft using a hybrid aircraft. By Florian Treiss 27.07.2026 - 11:00 For years, the aviation industry has been developing solutions to reduce or even eliminate CO[2] emissions from flights. While fully electric options currently seem feasible only for small air taxis, larger aircraft and longer routes are likely to depend on hybrid powertrains for the foreseeable future. A project led by NASA, e-aircraft developer Beta Technologies, aircraft manufacturer Boeing, and propulsion specialist GE Aerospace has now demonstrated that such systems could be viable for daily operations. The partners conducted a hybrid-electric flight at a typical cruising altitude of 30,000 feet (approximately 9,144 metres) - a milestone previously unachieved by any hybrid aircraft. H. Lawrence Culp Jr., CEO of GE Aerospace, stated: "The aviation industry's first high-altitude hybrid electric flight is one for the history books. GE Aerospace is grateful to NASA, BETA Technologies and Boeing for their collaborative partnership to accelerate hybrid electric technology to meet customer needs for greater efficiency, durability and range." The project utilised a modified Saab 340B regional aircraft, which typically seats up to 39 passengers. The right side of the aircraft was equipped for flight tests with a hybrid-electric system housed in an inverted engine nacelle, which also provided additional ventilation. The system includes motor-generators, power converters, and inverters developed by GE Aerospace, control units, gearboxes from Avio Aero, propellers from Dowty, and a CT7 engine. BAE Systems supplied the batteries, while Boeing's subsidiary, Aurora Flight Sciences, provided the complete engine nacelle. Pilots from GE Aerospace and Beta Technologies supported the flight tests in the USA, where the milestone of flying at 30,000 feet was achieved for the first time. Beta Technologies served as the system integrator and ferried the aircraft to the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK, operating in hybrid-electric mode for every flight segment. Kyle Clark, CEO of Beta Technologies, said: "This hybrid electric system improved the high-altitude performance and climb capability while creating a flying laboratory to inform all future hybrid designs. The GE Aerospace team brought rigorous design, test and operational expertise. The ground and safe flight test campaigns, capped by a flight across the North Atlantic, is the first of many important milestones for hybrid electric technology." 0 comments. about "Successful test of hybrid aircraft at over 9,100 metres altitude"

A £7.3 million government funding package has been awarded to eight pioneering British companies to accelerate the development of hydrogen-powered aircraft and electric aviation, bringing the UK a…

Farnborough Airshow opens with a record 1,600 exhibitors. Last updated: 23 July 2026 09:41 Spectators gathered behind a safety barrier at the Farnborough International Airshow, capturing photos and videos of the aircraft displays on a bright, sunny day in 2024 (C) Farnborough International Airrshow The Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) opened on Monday, July 20, and will run until Friday, July 24. FIA is one of the world's leading showcase opportunities for global aerospace and defence companies. This year, the Hampshire-based show has a record 1,600 exhibitors, and 288 aircraft orders have already been placed, according to Reuters. Key deals. Discover more Aviation Industry Events & Listings The site of FIA is Farnborough Airport (FAB), recognised as the birthplace of British aviation because the first powered flight took off here in 1908. FIA began as a showcase for British aerospace technology in 1948, and the last event in 2014 attracted over 100,000 visitors from 114 countries. At this last event, Delta Air Lines ordered 100 Boeing 737 Max 10 aircraft. Below is a summary of the key commercial deals made so far this year. | Purchaser | Order | | SMBC Aviation Capital | 100 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft (60 737-10, 40 737-8 jets) 100 Airbus A320neo (65 A321neo, 35 A320neo aircraft) | | Riyadh Air | From 2023 order - converted 20 of 28 Boeing 787 Dreamliners to 787-10 variant Further six A350-1000 (31 total have been ordered) | | Philippine Airlines | 20 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners (15 firm orders, 5 options) Nine Airbus A350 ordered, purchase rights for further five | | Aercap | 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliners | | Uganda Airlines | Four Boeing 737 Max, four Boeing 737 jets | | MSC Air Cargo | Five Boeing 777-8 freighters | | Luxair | Two Boeing 737-10 aircraft | | Shohin Airlines | Four Airbus A320-neo aircraft | | Fuji Dream Airlines | Two Embraer E175 regional jets | | Abra | 20 Embraer E2 aircraft | | Binter | Five Embraer E2 aircraft | | British Airways | Selected Pratt & Whitney GTF engines for its 63 incoming A320neo jets | | BOC Aviation | 300 CFM International engines for existing fleet | | IndiGo | 1,000 CFM International LEAP-1A engines | Running in parallel to the exhibition, the event also features both static and aerial displays to wow visitors every afternoon. Sadly, the Red Arrows display team will not be performing this year, as they are on a planned visit to the US for Independence Day celebrations. New technology, new PM. In addition to commercial deals, the international event will provide space for debate on ongoing global conflicts and geopolitical unrest. Manufacturers Boeing and Airbus will also discuss future plans and their ongoing decisions regarding the eventual replacement of popular Boeing 737 and Airbus A320neo aircraft. Defence companies such as Lockheed Martin unveiled new lower-cost Patriot interceptors to counter drones and missiles. Other new military technology on display includes unmanned fighter jets, hypersonic missiles, spy satellites and AI-enabled weapons systems. GE Aerospace also revealed it is working in partnership with NASA and BETA Technologies on the world's first high-altitude flight using hybrid-electric propulsion assistance. While the UK's Prime Minister (PM) is usually in attendance at the British event, FIA's launch day on Monday also coincided with the first day in office for the UK's new PM, Andy Burnham. It is hoped he may make an appearance later this week. Have you already attended, or are you planning to attend, the 2026 Farnborough Airshow? Let Travel Radar Media Ltd. know in the comments below.