United Airlines invests in eco-friendly travel future

United Airlines is bringing eco-friendly travel to the world of aviation

United Airlines says it plans to buy 100 E-S-19 electric planes from Swedish start-up Heart Aerospace.

The U.S. carrier has been keen to get into the future of electric, gearing up to obtain battery-powered aircraft for regional routes.

It is the latest in a series of such “innovation-related” announcements by United as major airlines come under pressure to cut emissions.

United’s Commitment to Sustainable Aviation

Heart Aerospace has partnered with United Airlines, Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Mesa Airlines to fund and develop the ES-19, an innovative product that will eliminate operational emissions and decrease the aviation industry’s carbon footprint.

Both United and Mesa have conditionally agreed to order 100 of the jets, given it meets each company’s safety, business and operating standards. The investment comes from United’s dedicated sustainability fund, called United Airlines Ventures (UAV), which is focused on innovative technologies that reduce carbon emissions while simultaneously improving the customer experience and revolutionizing how the industry operates.

United Airlines last month revealed bold plans to also buy the new supersonic jet, bringing ultra-fast travel into the market