Airbus E-Fan Makes Successful English Channel Flight

Shayla Silva

Friday, July 10, 2015 at 09:45 PM ET

Verified

Airbus Group

Key Takeaways:

Airbus Group's E-Fan electric demonstrator successfully crossed the English Channel in 38 minutes, mirroring Louis Blériot’s historic flight from 106 years ago.
The twin-fan aircraft completed the flight from Lydd Airport to Calais-Dunkerque Airport using its onboard lithium-ion battery system.
The achievement is controversial, as French pilot Hugues Duval made a similar electric Channel crossing hours before Airbus, sparking a debate over who holds the official "first" title.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Airbus Group’s E-Fan demonstrator was able to successfully cross the English Channel on Friday morning, mirroring Louis Blériot’s historical flight nearly 106 years ago. But the record flight is already proving controversial.

Taking off from Lydd Airport in southern England, the twin-fan electric airplane completed the flight in 38 minutes, reaching a cruise altitude of 3,500 feet. Pilot and E-Fan designer Didier Esteyne was at the controls for the flight.