News

Meet The AltoVolo Sigma: A 1,608HP Personal eVTOL Jet

With 4x the range of its rivals and a footprint small enough to land on a driveway, the AltoVolo Sigma brings private aviation closer to daily life.

Published

1 year ago

May 9, 2025

Nour Nasir

AltoVolo

A new era in personal air travel has arrived with the launch of AltoVolo’s Sigma, a hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft that combines runway-free convenience with regional jet performance. Featuring 1,608 horsepower and a sleek, sculptural frame, Sigma is designed for high-speed, long-range, and ultra-quiet personal flight — potentially transforming both the eVTOL and helicopter markets.

Equipped with a patent-pending tilting jet propulsion system, the Sigma boasts a 500-mile range, a cruise speed of 220mph, and noise levels over 80% lower than traditional helicopters, making it ideal for use in residential areas. Its hybrid design draws on the burst power of electric batteries for take-off and liquid fuel for extended cruising, sidestepping the limitations of current all-electric VTOLs.

At just 4.8 meters wide and weighing 980 kg fully loaded with three passengers, the Sigma can land on driveways, rooftops, or yachts — no airport required. Safety is central to the design, which includes redundant jet operation and a ballistic parachute system.

altovolo sigma interior

“The Sigma is a statement of intent,” said Will Wood, AltoVolo’s founder and CEO. “We’re not just building a flying machine — we’re building the fastest point-to-point transport system, reimagining how we live and travel”.

AltoVolo is taking a lean-startup approach and aiming for rapid time-to-market, with full-scale demonstrator production underway after successful prototype tests. Its design and engineering have been validated by Dr. Richard E. Brown of Sophrodyne Aerospace, and its autonomous flight systems are supplied by Embention, known for powering Amazon Prime Air’s drones. Simulation support comes from Ansys, which also works with Formula 1 teams.

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Unlike many competitors focused on short, intra-city flights, AltoVolo is targeting both urban and regional air mobility. The Sigma is pitched as a tool of independence for those who value time, privacy, and the freedom to travel on their own terms — no airport terminals, no congestion, no schedules.

Reservations for the launch edition open in July, with priority given to early qualifying customers.

News

New Disney+ Streaming App Has Officially Launched In The UAE

The app’s recommendations now factor in what’s popular in the UAE, and a dedicated Junior Mode gives kids their own corner of Disney+.

Published

19 hours ago

October 9, 2026

Dana Saadeh

Disney

A new Disney+ app has officially launched in the UAE, and subscribers can now keep watching their favorite titles when they travel. Disney+ says access extends across supported markets in Europe, the United States and beyond.

The app is built around a dynamic homepage and simpler navigation, with recommendations drawn from each customer’s viewing habits and what’s popular in the UAE. Content from Hulu and ESPN is now easier to find alongside Disney+’s own library, the company says. Audio and subtitles come in up to 25 languages, and supported devices get high-quality video and sound.

For families, the app includes Junior Mode, a dedicated, simplified version of Disney+ for younger viewers, built around age-appropriate shows and movies. It sits alongside existing controls such as PIN-protected profiles, customizable content ratings and account notifications when a profile is changed.

The catalog still spans Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, Hulu and FX. Returning series include Season 8 of “The Kardashians,” Season 23 of “Grey’s Anatomy” and Season 38 of “The Simpsons”. Also on the service are the second season of International Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning series “Rivals,” comedy “Only Murders in the Building,” Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Zootropolis 2” and 20th Century Studios’ “Send Help”.

Also Read: Best Video Streaming Services In The Middle East

Marvel Television’s “VisionQuest” is on the way, and Disney’s live-action “Moana” is due later this autumn. Beyond Hollywood, the Turkish title “Halef” is coming to the platform alongside a lineup of Korean entertainment: Korean-Japanese romantic comedy “Merry Berry Love” is streaming now, and “The Remarried Empress” arrives November 4.

Existing subscribers will be prompted to download the new app and sign in with their current credentials, with on-screen steps covering account confirmation and profile setup. Subscriptions start at AED 49.99 per month and can be canceled at any time.

For UAE subscribers planning to travel, the update will likely be well received, but Disney has left one question open. It confirms Europe and the United States as supported markets but doesn’t yet say which others fall under and beyond.