How Brits will soon board planes to Benidorm on their doorstep with NO pilots – but it’s up to you whether they take off
FORGET the 4am dash to the airport and the endless queues at check-in — your next flight to Benidorm could be aboard a plane with no pilot at all taking off right outside your house.
Brits are closer than ever to boarding self-flying aircraft for short-haul holidays, as futuristic aircraft powered by AI get ready to take to the skies.
And with budget airlines like Ryanair running one of Europe’s most modern fleets, the leap to pilotless planes could be closer than you think – a move that could save the industry billions of dollars.
The idea of zipping off to Benidorm or Majorca in a plane with no one at the controls might sound terrifying to some, but insiders insist it could soon become a normal reality.
Aviation expert Julian Bray predicts that by 2050, hopping into a self-flying plane for a sunny escape to Spain will feel as normal as booking a seat on a low-cost airline today.
He told The Sun: “Realistically, we are almost there because China already has a flying taxi called eVTOl, which stands for electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing vehicle. And that’s just the beginning.
“The technology can do it — it’s just a matter of time and public acceptance.”
Airborne revolution
In California, Xwing — a startup modifying Cessna 208 cargo aircraft — is aiming to launch fully autonomous commercial operations this year, Forbes reports.
Its aircraft are already flying automated missions with just one safety pilot onboard to meet current regulations.
Once certified, the company hopes to expand into passenger flights by the end of the decade.
Even the planes are ready to launch, and there are some surprising benefits for airlines and passengers when you remove the need for a human pilot.
Without the need for a cockpit, autonomous aircraft can instantly carry more passengers adding an extra seat on smaller planes – A six-seater becomes a seven-seater.
Xwing expects that regional self-flying aircraft will cover short-hop routes like those favoured by holidaymakers heading to sun-soaked hotspots across Europe.
Manufacturers are already gearing up for this airborne revolution.
Brazilian firm Eve Air Mobility — backed by aerospace giant Embraer — has built up a whopping pre-order book of 2,900 electric flying taxis.
These sleek, silent aircraft can hit speeds of 115mph and are designed to glide across cities or coastlines, landing vertically in tiny spaces.
Some could be in service as early as next year, the company’s CEO previously told The Sun.
Boeing’s flying taxis
by Juliana Cruz Lima
BOEING’S self-driving FLYING taxis are set to hit the skies by 2030 in a revolutionary tech move.
They will be able to reach a top speed of 110mph and transport passengers as the ambitious plans will soon bring our futuristic dreams into reality.
Boeing thinks that by 2030, technology from its subsidiary Wisk Aero will help alleviate traffic congestion in the United States.
Wisk Aero aims to revolutionise urban transportation by providing safe, efficient, and eco-friendly aerial mobility options.
The company’s CEO, Brian Yutko, said that the pilotless air-taxi are expected to begin carrying passengers “later in the decade” as it works with the US regulator to secure approvals.
“We are right now testing and producing the elements of this aircraft that we will hope to fly around the end of this year,” he said.
This highly advanced air taxi, known as Generation 6, integrates top-tier safety systems from commercial aviation, leading autonomous technology and software, continuous human oversight for every flight, and an efficient design
The eVTOL has a range of 90 miles (144 km) per charge, including reserves, and can maintain a cruising speed of 120 knots (138 mph/222 kph) at altitudes ranging from 2,500 to 4,000 feet (762 to 1,220 meters).
With a wingspan of 50 feet (15 meters), it features 12 propellers for takeoff, with the front row tilting for forward propulsion during horizontal flight.
During cruising, the four-bladed rear propellers deactivate and lock to minimise drag, while the larger front propellers have been updated to include five blades.
The wings and booms have also been raised above the passenger compartment to improve safety and minimise noise.
For UK holidaymakers dreaming of warmer weather, that means the days of rushing through Gatwick or Heathrow might soon be replaced with simply summoning a flying cab from your local pad – and jetting off to Costa Blanca for the perfect getaway.
“You could pick you up nearer to your home or nearer to your holiday destination,” says Bray.
“And that has got to be good.”
The technology can do it — it’s just a matter of time and public acceptance
Julian Bray
And while holiday flights are already cheap, autonomous aircraft could eventually cut prices further by avoiding expensive airport charges, Bray explained.
Landing zones could be smaller, simpler and closer to home – more like helipads than terminals.
“You might not need to keep a schedule,” the expert added.
“Like a taxi, you would summon it up and enter your flight plan. And then you’ll go.”
Are pilotless planes safe?
Though the concept may sound space-age, much of the tech is already there, Bray revealed.
Today’s commercial pilots only manually fly for around 12 to 20 minutes per trip – the rest is handled by automation.
In fact, Bray says that modern planes can already take off and land by themselves. We just don’t let them.
Even the safety systems are prepped for emergencies.
If something goes on mid-air, these aircraft are programmed to safely return to base or land themselves in a nearby open space.
“It just needs a patch of land, and down it comes,” Bray says.
And there are plenty of real-world examples of autopilot stepping in to underline the importance of backup systems.
In 2016, a US Air Force F-16 autopilot system saved a student pilot’s life when he blacked out mid-flight, according to The Verge.
But it’s not always good news. In 1994, Aeroflot Flight 593 crashed after the autopilot disengaged when the pilot’s child nudged the controls — a chilling reminder of how human error can still play a role.
In October 2023, a Corendon Airlines 737-800 approaching Düsseldorf suffered an autopilot failure, forcing the crew to land manually, Aviation Herald reported.
You could pick you up nearer to your home or nearer to your holiday destination
Julian Bray
That’s why manufacturers are building in safety nets, including manual override features and remote pilot options.
While fully autonomous, many eVTOLs in testing — like those from EHang — are still supervised by a safety pilot or operator who can step in if needed, according to EHang’s official site.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)has also started drawing up operating rules for “powered-lift” aircraft to make sure they meet strict safety standards, FlightGlobal reports.
But while the skies may soon be filled with these “flying cars”, the real turbulence also lies in public acceptance.
A global survey in 2017 found that the majority of travellers were unwilling to board a pilotless plane, even if tickets were cheaper.
In the US, 81% of people said they’d be uncomfortable flying without a pilot at the helm.
But Bray believes that will change with time — especially if the benefits are clear.
He says: “People don’t like change, and they don’t like something that’s new, unless somebody else tries them first.”
FAA officials in the US have begun working with manufacturers to build certification programs, including for Boeing’s Wisk — but resistance remains.
Pilot unions are already sounding the alarm, warning of safety risks and over-reliance on untested tech.
Europe’s aviation watchdog has said it won’t even consider relaxing two-pilot flight deck rules until 2030.
There is also a matter of infrastructure. Vertical landing pads, charging ports, and completely new air traffic management systems all need to be built.
Eve Air Mobility’s CEO Johann Bordais previously told The Sun: “The roadblock will be ecosystem readiness, not technology.”
Behind the scenes, airlines and aircraft makers are quietly pushing for change.
“It’s all about money,” Allied Pilots Association spokesperson Dennis Tajer told Forbes.
“Manufacturers are looking for the next innovative technology to deploy so that they can sell it and make money, and airlines are looking at how they can do this more cheaply.”
A 2018 UBS report suggested autonomous planes could save the aviation industry $35 billion a year.
And because of all the safety and bureaucracy hurdles, many experts think fully autonomous air travel will roll out gradually.
But with China already plotting to have 100,000 flying cars in its skies by 2030, and Boeing-backed Wisk aiming for pilotless air taxis later this decade, the future is accelerating fast.
What are eVTOLs?
eVTOLs, or electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing vehicles, are a new category of aircraft designed to take off, hover, and land vertically using electric propulsion systems.
These innovative vehicles represent a significant step toward the future of sustainable and efficient air mobility.
Unlike traditional aircraft that rely on runways, eVTOLs operate vertically, making them particularly suited for use in urban areas where space is limited.
They are powered by electric motors, typically using rechargeable batteries, although hybrid systems combining electric and fuel-based propulsion are also under development.
This electric propulsion makes them quieter and more environmentally friendly than conventional aircraft.
One of the most exciting aspects of eVTOL technology is its potential to transform transportation.
In urban areas, eVTOLs could serve as air taxis, alleviating traffic congestion and reducing commute times.
Beyond cities, they could provide quick, efficient travel between regional destinations, bridging gaps where trains or highways might be slower or unavailable.
Their ability to operate in tight spaces and remote areas also makes them valuable for emergency services, such as medical evacuations or disaster response.
They are also being explored for cargo transport, offering a faster and more sustainable alternative to ground-based logistics.
In the military and defence sectors, eVTOLs could be used for reconnaissance, troop transport, or delivering supplies in challenging terrains.