Plana Aero; Lilium; Ascendence; Transcend
Forget urban air taxis. A new class of Regional Air Mobility (RAM) aircraft promises to be the next wave of transport, replacing helicopters and even commuter trains. While most electric air taxis have ranges that work well for short hops in urban settings, these vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (VTOL) are designed as regional commuters that can use existing airports, while “vertiports” are being built to create transportation hubs.
RAM offers the vast potential to increase accessibility and affordability of intra- and interstate travel, especially for more rural and remote communities that have been historically overlooked. In the United States, 30 major airports currently accommodate 70 percent of travelers, while the other 30 percent is split among 5,000 regional airports. But this new class of aircraft could make it possible to reach the smaller, more remote airports more cost efficiently.
Here are the nine top RAM Aircraft, with many coming to an airport near you in the next two or three years.
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Ascendance Atea
Image Credit: Ascendance Unlike the almost exclusive full-electric eVTOL air taxis, the Atea is a hybrid-electric VTOL equipped with a full megawatt propulsion system known as Sterna to reduce emissions by 40 percent and achieve net-zero pollution in flight. The French Atea can carry almost 900 pounds, which allows a five-passenger capacity, a maximum range of nearly 250 miles, and top speed of about 125 mph. With reduced noise emissions, this VTOL aircraft is designed as a quiet and efficient alternative to the helicopter. Atea “addresses a regional, decentralized use in passenger transportation and tourism,” according to Adrien Robin, the company’s business development manager. Ascendance plans to start test flights this year and enter into commercial service by 2027.
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Lilium Jet
Image Credit: Lilium The all-electric Lilium Jet is focused on regional air mobility reaching a cruise altitude of 10,000 feet, speed of 175 mph, range of 155 miles, and enough capacity for seven passengers. As described by Paul-Franck Bijou, the German eVTOL maker’s vice president of business development, Lilium features “technological differentiators including [36] ducted fan engines, which increase efficiency, and silicon anode batteries, which allow less ground infrastructure and the energy storage and consumption needed for regional connections.” A recent partnership with airport operator Fraport will help the company explore different vertiport networks in the U.S. and Europe. The Lilium Jet is already available for private purchase in Texas and expected to enter commercial operations in 2026.
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Plana Aero
Image Credit: Plana Aero The U.S. company is developing a regional air mobility aircraft with a range of over 300 miles in a single trip. With up to six passengers and a single pilot, the CP-01 will cruise at 185 mph and decrease carbon emissions by 80 percent. It will eventually have the potential for green hydrogen fuel, making it 100 percent carbon free. Comfort has been optimized with one of the most luxurious interior cabins in its category. In fact, Plana earned the IF Design Award for 2023 for its attention to detail in catering to passenger convenience and creating productive space.
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Whisper Aero WhisperJet
Image Credit: Whisper Aero This U.S. firm specializes in ultra-quiet propulsion, ideal for discreet travelers. The Whisper Jet propulsors are integrated into the leading edge of the wing, enabling significantly greater lift, a more compact wingspan, and reduced drag. This novel technology allows for a much smoother ride, even amid turbulence. “[O]ur concept can fly nine passengers at 287 mph a distance of 200 miles with zero emissions at a cost of only $76 for intrastate travel—that’s cheaper than taking your car, and four times faster,” CEO Mark Moore told Robb Report. “Plus, we fly out of small airports close to home, but without anyone able to hear our jet on the ground.”
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Honda VTOL
Image Credit: Honda Mobility behemoth Honda is leveraging its extensive knowledge from its HondaJet to develop a unique tiltrotor VTOL, with eight rotors for vertical lift and two rotors for horizontal thrust. Through the gas-turbine hybrid power unit, the aircraft’s maximum range is extended to roughly 250 miles. This aircraft even integrates state-of-the-art chassis technologies from F1 racing. Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) enthusiasts will have to wait until 2030 for aircraft to begin commercial operations, but it will surely be worth it.
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Transcend Vy 241
Image Credit: Transcend Transcend’s hybrid Vy 241 is powered by twin turbines with sustainable aviation fuel; it commands an incredible speed of 486 mph, a maximum range of over 1,000 miles, and capacity for seven passengers. Compared to the fastest civilian helicopter, the Airbus H160, Vy could theoretically arrive twice as fast or go twice as far. Unlike most helicopters, this RAM aircraft includes a lavatory and is still one of the most economical choices its array of capabilities at $14 million. Transcend says it’s on track for entry to service in 2028. It could shave the trek from NYC to Boston down to just 32 minutes in the air. “Helicopters are useful, but slow,” COO Peter Schmidt told Robb Report. “If they were as fast as jets, they’d sell a lot more. That’s the problem Transcend Air is solving. We take over what helicopters do and go far beyond.”
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Horizon Cavorite X7
Image Credit: Horizon Aircraft According to Horizon Aircraft CEO Brandon Robinson, “We’re a company of pilots and operators developing a hybrid eVTOL aircraft for the real world.” No fantasy flight on its Cavorite X7. Horizon employs an unusually resourceful design that can recharge itself overnight after landing at a remote location. The X7 boasts 14 powerful lift fans embedded into the 50-foot wingspan. It also has a maximum cruising speed of 280 mph, range of 500 miles, and room for six passengers plus a pilot.
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AutoFlight Prosperity 1
Image Credit: AutoFlight On July 27, 2023, China-based AutoFlight made history with the world’s first formation flight of three full-scale eVTOL aircraft. Prosperity 1 affords a range of 155 miles, a 125 mph speed, and capacity for four passengers plus pilot. Similar to others on this list including Beta, Ascendance, and Honda, AutoFlight makes use of the Lift + Cruise configuration. Expect to see Prosperity debut in 2027.
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Beta Alia-250
Image Credit: Beta The Alia-250 eVTOL has an impressively simple propulsion system developed in-house by Beta at its headquarters in Vermont. With a wingspan of 50 feet, max speed of 138 mph, and range of 250 miles, this vehicle can easily go the distance, even with five passengers and the pilot. Eager to try your hand at flying this modern marvel? It can be flown on your home computer or laptop in the X-Plane simulator today. Certification is expected in 2026, though the first models will be used for cargo delivery—including live organs for medical purposes.
