Beyond Aero Targets 2029 First Flight for Hydrogen-Electric One Business Aircraft
Why It MattersHydrogen-electric business aircraft are moving from concept toward certification-stage work, with design reviews and supplier onboarding now underway, though a first flight remains years away.
Beyond Aero, a Toulouse-based startup developing the One hydrogen-electric business aircraft, is exhibiting at NBAA-BACE for the first time and holding workshops with potential customers and other business aviation industry players. The company had attended earlier NBAA-BACE shows without exhibiting. CEO and co-founder Eloa Guillotin said this is the right time, noting that the workshops present the latest advancements and let attendees challenge the company. This year it is showing non-public aspects of the programme to operators, airports, pilots and other players.
The One will use six fuel cells delivering 2.4 megawatts of power to feed two 1-megawatt electric motors, drawing on 700-bar gaseous hydrogen. Beyond Aero targets a range of 800 nm and a cruise speed of 300 kt. Ground testing of the power train, which includes EKPO fuel cells, is progressing in Toulouse. The company has made progress in small-scale and ground tests and in funding, but announced a significant redesign in 2025. The One passed a preliminary design review earlier this year.
In recent months, Beyond Aero engineers have focused on combining AI assistance with human responsibility. Guillotin said this work sits at the center of the process to obtain a Design Organization Approval (DOA) and certification, and that the company is looking at implementing AI in change loops, DOA processes and daily work improvement. The company is also preparing a critical design review and onboarding suppliers. Engineers are aiming for a first flight in 2029.
