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All-electric seagliders for fast, affordable regional transportation
REGENT is building a new mode of transportation that will redefine regional mobility by 2026. Their first product, the seaglider, is an all-electric, hydrofoiling flying-boat that operates within a wingspan of the water's surface. By flying low on a cushion of air, seagliders unlock the ability to fly twice as far as an electric aircraft, while being regulated by maritime authorities enabling market entry for a fraction of the cost. REGENT has de-risked seaglider technology with a ¼-scale flying demonstration vehicle. By this summer, REGENT will fly humans on the 15,000 lb (7000kg) first full-scale prototype seaglider, which will be the largest electric-flying machine in history. By late 2026, REGENT’s customers - airlines and ferry companies – will begin commercial seaglider service on the 12-seat initial product. A 100 passenger version, already with firm orders, will follow several years later. In just four years, REGENT has accumulated >$10B in pre-orders (including firm deposits) from airlines and ferry companies around the world. Currently a team of 100, REGENT is led by MIT-trained, ex-Boeing engineers Billy Thalheimer and Mike Klinker. REGENT has raised over $100M to date from the likes of Founders Fund, Japan Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Lockheed Martin, and is on contract with the US Marine Corps.
REGENT designs and manufactures all-electric Seagliders for fast, zero-emission coastal transportation, aiming to provide affordable regional travel with door-to-door convenience over water. The vessels mix aircraft speed with boat-like operation to bypass highways and airports, targeting everyday travelers and commuters.
REGENT builds Seagliders, all-electric vessels that operate over water using hull, hydrofoils, or wings to achieve high speed and long range. The craft combines the speed of an aircraft with boat-like water operation, is powered by 100% battery electric propulsion for zero-emission travel, and is positioned as an affordable alternative to air travel for regional routes. The product emphasizes safety, speed (up to 180 mph) and a 180-mile range, with deployment intended for coastal transportation and potential partnerships with ferry, airline, and logistics operators.
Who it’s for: Everyday travelers and commuters seeking fast, affordable, zero-emission regional coastal transport; potential B2B customers include ferry operators, airlines, and logistics companies interested in Seagliders.
Public product demos, press releases and updates; ongoing recruitment and careers page; multiple press releases and blogs indicating active development and partnerships.
Billy is an aerospace business leader and multidisciplinary engineer with expertise spanning aviation entrepreneurship and novel aircraft development. At Aurora Flight Sciences, Billy led execution and BD for next-gen aircraft programs. Holding a BS/MS from MIT in aerospace engineering, he also led flight physics modeling for Boeing's electric air taxi, and authored their custom aircraft design code. As a passionate aerospace nerd, Billy spends his free time competing as an aerobatic pilot.
Aviation runs in Mike’s blood--he received his Bachelors and Masters degrees from MIT focused on aircraft controls and autonomy, is an avid pilot, and loves any vehicle that flies or floats. Mike spent years at Airware, Raptor Maps, MIT Lincoln Labs, and Aurora Flight Sciences designing and operating innovative vehicles. Mike has built and written control software for over a dozen aircraft, and brings his advanced flight controls and abundant flight test experience to REGENT as its CTO.
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