EasyJet Is Aiming for a Fleet of Electric Planes by 2030
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
EasyJet announced this week ambitious plans to operate a fleet of electric planes by 2030.
As of today, no such aircraft exists. However, for the task, the Britain-based budget airline has partnered with start-up electric firm Wright Electric — the same firm that presented designs for a 150-seat commercial aircraft that operates on electric power at the Tech Crunch Y Combinator Demo Day in March of 2017. The company has since developed a fully-operating two-seater aircraft and applied for a patent on a motor for an electric plane.
EasyJet plans to start small with short-haul flights (think two-hour routes like London Heathrow (LHR) to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)) and plans to test Wright’s design for an electric, nine-seater plane — which is projected to fly in 2019.
Electric airliners to fly London-Amsterdam? Budget carrier @easyJet confirms progress towards greener aviation, with US partner Wright Electric applying for patent for electric engine for narrowbody airliner. 9-seater electric a/c to fly in 2019. #avgeek pic.twitter.com/YmgewpdIJl
— Tim Robinson (@RAeSTimR) October 29, 2018
According to CNN, Wright Electric forecasts that the new electric planes will be up to 50% quieter and 10% cheaper than the aircraft airlines currently operate on a day-to-day basis. A typical commercial aircraft — let’s say a Boeing 747 — uses approximately one gallon of fuel every second, How Stuff Works calculated in 2014. With ever-increasing fuel prices and general desire to lower costs overall, other airliners have been developing their own takes on electric planes as well. This includes Zunum, backed by Boeing, and Siemens, which has partnered up with Airbus to develop their own electric aircraft motors since 2017. Even Loganair, which operates the 1.7-mile shortest flight in the world, announced its own plans to operate electric aircraft by 2021.
Featured image by Sean Gallup/Getty Images
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases within the first three months of card membership. Plus, earn a $200 statement credit after your first Delta purchase within the first three months. Offer ends 7/28/21.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months and a $200 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 3 months. Offer expires 7/28/2021.
- Limited Time Offer: Plus, get a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable 15.74%-24.74%. Offer expires 7/28/2021.
- Accelerate your path to Medallion Status, with Status Boost®. Plus, in 2021 you can earn even more bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) to help you reach Medallion Status.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.