The commercial aviation industry has long been dominated by deeply entrenched players. But now, a host of new startups working on problems from electric flight to personal urban transport and working to transform the industry.
Here are several of the most interesting aviation startups to watch. I will likely write up several of them in the future.
Lilium
Lilium is developing the Lilium Jet, a 7-person electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft with a range of 155 miles. The German company went public in March and as of this writing is valued at more than $2 billion.
The jet is currently in testing, and is expected by Lilium to hit the market in 2025.
Joby
Joby is developing another eVTOL vehicle—the company’s aircraft will seat five people (including a pilot) and travel at up to 200 mph with a 150 mile or more range. The company is focusing on offering personal air travel as a service. The company is in the process of certifying its vehicle with the FAA as a traditional aircraft.
The company went public via SPAC earlier this year and expects to hit the market in 2024.
Boom Supersonic
Boom is developing the first supersonic passenger jet since the demise of the Concorde: the Boom Supersonic. Its 65-person will fly on entirely sustainable aviation fuels and is expected to begin deliveries in 2025. The company made news earlier this year when United Airlines ordered fifteen Boom Overtures.
The company’s products rely on its innovations minimizing the sound impact of supersonic flight. They say their jet will make a supersonic “thump” rather than a boom, ironically enough.
Eviation
The Israeli aviation startup Eviation is developing a 9-passenger regional aircraft—fully powered by electric power. The Eviation Alice is expected to have a service ceiling of 32,000 feet and a range of around 500 miles. It has already received orders from airlines including Cape Air.
Eviation’s Alice has the potential to upend the economics of short-hall travel. Check out Wendover’s remarkably thorough breakdown:
This is a freeform daily newsletter about the transportation industry: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. I will take shallow dives into topics that I think are interesting—and that offer valuable lessons. These will include looks at startups in the space, historical explorations, market analyses, company and personal profiles, interviews with industry players, and occasional personal essays.
Please note: nothing published here is to be interpreted as investment advice. The author does not hold positions in any company discussed here.
Thanks for reading—and please let me know if you have any feedback or if there is anything you would like to see me cover.
Drive well,
DS