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United will potentially buy up to 100 small electric planes in new soft order
David Slotnick
Contributing aviation editor
David Slotnick is TPG's contributing aviation editor. He covers the ins and outs of the airline industry.
July 13, 2021
•
2 min read
United will potentially buy up to 100 small electric planes in new soft order
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United Airlines and regional carrier Mesa Airlines said on Tuesday that each will buy up to 100 electric aircraft from Swedish startup Heart Aerospace.
The agreement — which is not a firm order — came as part of an investment by United's venture capital subsidiary, United Airlines Ventures (UAV), in the Swedish planemaker. Breakthrough Energy Ventures, the alternative energy-focused VC fund founded by Bill Gates, also invested in Heart as part of the deal announced Tuesday.
Whether the orders for Heart's 19-seat ES-19 aircraft are ever actually delivered is far from certain. United said that the aircraft must "meet United's safety, business and operating requirements" before any sale is finalized, and added that Mesa had implemented similar terms.
The ES-19 has a potential range of 250 miles, which, along with the small size, limits the potential ways that a larger airline or regional carrier like Mesa could use the planes. Mesa operates flights for United and American Airlines under the United Express and American Eagle brands, respectively.
Heart is targeting an ambitious 2026 debut for the plane, although it is not clear whether that target can be reached given stringent certification requirements for the new aircraft type.
"We recognize that customers want even more ownership of their own carbon emissions footprint" Michael Leskinen, a vice president at United who heads the UAV subsidiary, said in a press release. "We're proud to partner with Mesa Air Group to bring electric aircraft to our customers earlier than any other US airliner."
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More: United Airlines announces deal with Boom Supersonic for faster-than-sound commercial flights
The deal was the latest of several similar announcements from United, which has made several high-profile investments in aviation startups, mostly skewing towards companies investing in alternative forms of fuel. In February, the airline announced a partnership with eVTOL startup Archer Aviation — the company unveiled its flying taxi design last month — and in June, United said it had invested in Boom Supersonic, which aims to design a cost-effective supersonic passenger jet that uses so-called sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs).
Rival airlines American and Virgin Atlantic have also announced investments in eVTOL startups, though it's unclear exactly what timeline might prove realistic for bringing such products to market.
Featured image by United Airlines
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Best for dining at restaurants
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Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
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- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.