Scandinavian airline SAS is launching sales for its first electric flights. But so far there is neither an airplane nor do customers know where they are going to fly to. And the date is not known either.
The customer list is impressive. Air Canada, Icelandair and United Airlines, among others, have signed letters of intent for the new electric aircraft being developed by Swedish manufacturer Heart Aerospace. The first customers should receive their copies in 2028.
The Heart ES-30 offers space for 30 passengers in ten rows. The aircraft also has a galley and a toilet. The fully electric, emission-free version has a range of 200 kilometers, the hybrid of 400 kilometers with 30 passengers or up to 800 kilometers with 25 passengers.
Tickets cost 167 euros: the date and destination are unknown
SAS was also able to win Heart Aerospace as a customer. And obviously the Scandinavian airline firmly believes in success. Because now she has announced ticket sales for her first three flights with the electric plane in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. It starts on June 2 at 12 noon local time.
The price of the tickets is 1946 Swedish crowns (167 euros). It is a tribute to the year in which you started as a newcomer, SAS said in a statement. The only problem is that the plane hasn’t existed yet, nor do customers know where they’re going to fly to. And the date is not known either. Except that it will happen “in the course of 2028,” according to SAS. But it is still the “next important milestone for the future of aviation”.
Anyone who secures one of the tickets does not have to pay the bill immediately. The 1946 kroner is only payable 30 days before the notified date of the flight. Reservation fees do not apply, as SAS explains.
By Stefan Eiselin