GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE), in collaboration with NASA, BETA Technologies (NYSE: BETA), and Boeing, conducted what the companies describe as the first hybrid electric flight above 30,000 feet, reaching altitudes comparable to commercial passenger aircraft. The milestone was announced at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 20, 2026.

The test campaign used a modified Saab 340B aircraft fitted with a megawatt-class, multi-kilovolt hybrid electric propulsion system developed under the NASA Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project. The longest single flight in hybrid electric operation during the test campaign exceeded two hours.

The hybrid electric system was installed on the right side of the aircraft within an inverted nacelle designed for additional ventilation. Components included GE Aerospace-developed motor/generators, power converters, inverters, and controllers, along with Avio Aero gearboxes, Dowty propellers, Unison heat exchangers, and a CT7 engine. BAE Systems supplied the batteries, and Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences provided the nacelle.

BETA Technologies served as systems integrator and its pilots flew the aircraft from the U.S. to the United Kingdom for the airshow, operating in hybrid electric mode during each leg of the transatlantic journey.

"This hybrid electric system improved the high-altitude performance and climb capability while creating a flying laboratory to inform all future hybrid designs," said Kyle Clark, founder and CEO of BETA Technologies.

GE Aerospace was first awarded the NASA EPFD contract in 2021 to demonstrate flight readiness of hybrid electric technologies for single-aisle aircraft. Prior milestones include a 2022 ground simulation of megawatt-class hybrid electric propulsion at altitudes up to 45,000 feet at NASA's Electric Aircraft Testbed facility.

Public demonstration flights at the Farnborough International Airshow are scheduled as part of daily flying displays, with the aircraft also available for static viewing.