Electric Aircraft Begin Crisscrossing Hawaii’s Islands

Beta Technologies, Surf Air Mobility, and Hawaiian Airlines begin a six-to-eight-week electric aircraft trial.

Jack Daleo

Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 03:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

A Beta Technologies Alia CX300 prototype electric aircraft conducts a demonstration flight in Hawaii under a partnership with Surf Air Mobility. [Credit: Beta Technologies]

Key Takeaways:

Beta Technologies, Surf Air Mobility, and Hawaiian Airlines are conducting trials of Beta's CX300 electric aircraft in Hawaii to assess its feasibility for interisland cargo and future passenger service.
The trials aim to gather critical data on operational performance, economic viability, and infrastructure requirements in Hawaii's unique environmental and route conditions.
Despite not being part of the FAA's broader eIPP, Hawaii is emerging as a key proving ground, with Surf Air Mobility planning to launch commercial electric aircraft operations there, potentially integrating with Hawaiian Airlines' network.

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In the coming months, the FAA will oversee trials of precertified electric aircraft in 26 states under its eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) Integration Pilot Program (eIPP). Hawaii is not one of them.

But the state’s residents and visitors will get a first glimpse of the technology during trial operations that began Thursday and are expected to continue for six to eight weeks.