Air New Zealand soared into sustainable skies with the NZ test flight of its first all-electric aircraft from Tauranga on 17 October 2025. The BETA ALIA CX300 marks a milestone in the airline’s Next Generation Aircraft program to envision the future of flying.
Manufactured in the US by BETA Technologies, the BETA ALIA CX300 is the first all-electric jet to fly under Air New Zealand’s banner.
The CTOL (conventional takeoff and landing) aircraft has been designed to leverage existing airport infrastructure and fly in accordance with existing procedures to enable rapid adoption.
It uses battery-electric propulsion and is quiet with zero inflight emissions, designed for all-weather deployment and reliability.
The ALIA CX300 can accommodate two crew members and up to 5.6 cubic metres of cargo (200 cubic feet) on missions of up to approximately 398km kilometres (215 nautical miles).
The flag carrier has leased the aircraft for a four-month tech demonstration program to determine how it operates in NZ conditions and start the familiarisation process for pilots and engineers.
It will be based at Hamilton Airport for two months, where Air New Zealand and BETA teams will undertake a series of flights in a range of conditions and altitudes, before moving to Wellington Airport in December.
In Wellington, it will complete flights between Wellington and Blenheim (mobile chargers will be based at Hamilton, Wellington and Blenheim airports).
Air New Zealand General Manager – Fleet, Networks and Strategy Baden Smith said the airline has a proud history of aviation innovation and pushing progress.
“It’s incredibly special to partner with a global innovator like BETA to ensure New Zealand is a part of shaping what the future of flight might look like both here and around the world,” he said.
BETA Technologies Director of Flight Operations Chris Caputo said: “We built the ALIA CX300 on a foundation of simplicity to ensure a fast, safe, and efficient path to commercial service.”
“With this ‘Tech Demonstrator’ collaboration, Air New Zealand is not just validating a single aircraft, they are creating the rigorous operational blueprint that will serve as a model for operators around the world who are serious about unlocking low-cost, sustainable connectivity for their regional communities.”
For more info, visit beta.team
