FlyNyon orders up to five Alia VTOL aircraft from Beta

FlyNyon helicopter tours has made a “committed” purchase order of up to five Alia VTOL aircraft from Beta Technologies.

The aircraft will join FlyNyon’s fleet of helicopters to offer charter and photo tourism experiences across New York City. 

“FlyNyon has demonstrated a clear commitment to urban air mobility and is offering an excellent passenger experience,” said Patrick Buckles, Beta’s sales lead. “With its quiet, low-cost, and ultra-reliable profile, our Alia aircraft will help set a new standard in safe, customer-first operations as FlyNyon looks to continue expanding and innovating.” 

Beta’s Alia VTOL is one of the first of this aircraft type globally to achieve crewed transition flight, having first done so in April 2024. The all-electric aircraft  can carry up to five passengers plus one pilot or 1,250lbs of cargo. It has a projected range of 250nm with a top speed of 138mph (222kph). 

Patrick Day, CEO FlyNyon, said: “We are incredibly excited to take this step forward with Beta Technologies. Their aircraft offer a new standard in efficiency and performance, and their exceptionally quiet operations makes them particularly well-suited for the urban and regional environments we serve, allowing us to fly more neighbourly.”

FlyNyon’s purchase follows Beta’s passenger-carrying sales demonstration flight into John F. Kennedy International Airport at the beginning of June. This was the first passenger-carrying flight conducted by a US company, as well as the first AAM flight into a New York City airport. 

This year, the company has also flown a production-intent aircraft across the US, covering 8,000 nautical miles coast-to-coast, and has been flying another of its aircraft throughout Europe, including at the Paris Air Show. 

FlyNyon joins firm orders and partnerships from global operators and organisations, including UPS, Air New Zealand, United Therapeutics, Bristow, Blade, Helijet, Metro Aviation, New Zealand Air Ambulance, Republic Airways and the US Department of Defense. 

Beta will begin initial deliveries later this year with aircraft slated to go to Bristow and Air New Zealand.