On January 9, 2025, Toulouse-based Beyond Aero announced significant funding for its sustainability-focused private and business jet, the Beyond Aero One, projected to launch in 2030. The aircraft, designed to be the first electric business jet powered by hydrogen propulsion, will accommodate six to eight passengers and has a range of up to 800 nautical miles.
Founded in 2020, Beyond Aero aims to innovate commuter aircraft architecture around hydrogen-electric propulsion, emphasizing fuel cell technology and advanced cooling systems. The firm has raised over $44 million from various investors, including Giant Ventures, Bpifrance, and Initialized Capital, and secured $914 million in Letters of Intent for 108 aircraft from a diverse clientele.
Beyond Aero's CEO, Eloa Guillotin, expressed enthusiasm about the support from investors, highlighting the importance of their collective vision for clean energy innovation in aviation. The additional funding will aid the establishment of a $12 million Hydrogen Electric Powertrain Lab, which will test components of the hydrogen-electric propulsion system.
The aircraft utilizes a fuel cell that generates electricity through a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, emitting only water as a byproduct. Despite hydrogen’s higher energy density compared to conventional fuels, challenges remain regarding storage weight. To address this, Beyond Aero collaborates with the automotive industry to optimize aircraft design for hydrogen integration.
Proof of concept has been demonstrated with the company’s retrofitted ULA model G1 SPYL-XL, which successfully completed trial flights, showcasing the viability of hydrogen as a clean alternative for aviation.