Aircraft
Beta and Surf Air Launch Electric Flight Trials in Hawaii
Six-week campaign tests inter-island cargo and passenger routes
The Alia CX300 CTOL (registration N401NZ) carries Surf Air branding while flying a demonstration route over Hawaii.
The Beta Alia CX300 electric airplane (registered N401NZ) carries Surf Air branding while flying a demonstration route over Hawaii in June 2026. © Beta Technologies

Beta Technologies and Surf Air Mobility have started flying the all-electric Alia CX300 across Hawaii to test whether battery-powered aircraft can serve the state’s short inter-island cargo and passenger routes. The demonstration campaign, which began Thursday, will run roughly six to eight weeks.

The flights follow the March 12 agreement under which Surf Air Mobility placed a firm order for 25 of the five-passenger Alia, with options for 75 more, securing priority delivery slots for the Los Angeles-based operator.