Supernal
Supernal is Hyundai Motor Group's US subsidiary developing the S-A2 four-passenger eVTOL aircraft and an integrated Advanced Air Mobility ecosystem. The pre-revenue company is pursuing FAA Part 21 Type Certification for commercial airline air-taxi operations later this decade.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersIrvine, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Supernal does
Supernal is the US-based Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group, founded in 2020 and headquartered in Irvine, California following a 2023 relocation from Washington, D.C. The company is developing the S-A2, a four-passenger electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed to be autonomous-capable from inception using AI and machine learning, intended for urban air taxi and regional air mobility services. Supernal is pursuing FAA Part 21 Type Certification under 14 CFR Part 23/25/27/29 with the goal of commercial operations later this decade, originally targeted for 2028 but likely delayed given current flight-test progress (only tethered flights achieved by March 2026).
The technical scope extends beyond the aircraft itself to an integrated ground-to-air AAM ecosystem, including composite aerostructures delivered by GKN Aerospace for the S-A2 demonstrator and Fixed Base Operator (FBO) infrastructure prepared in partnership with Clay Lacy Aviation. In May 2026, Hyundai Motor Group signed an MOU with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to jointly develop AAM aircraft, combining Hyundai's electric powertrain and mass-production expertise with KAI's aerospace engineering, certification, and global customer networks — a relationship that revives a prior Hyundai-KAI connection through Hyundai Space and Aircraft (stake sold in 2016).
The business model is pre-revenue hardware sales to enterprise airline partners and air mobility operators, with no commercial products currently available and no disclosed pricing. The company is wholly funded by Hyundai Motor Group, which has invested over $6 billion cumulatively since launch. As of early 2026, Supernal has undergone severe restructuring: CEO Jaiwon Shin departed in August 2025, approximately 296 employees (~80% of the California workforce) were laid off on February 27, 2026, headcount fell from ~500 to 70-80, and Fremont R&D and Mojave test facilities were scaled back or closed. A new chief technology officer was appointed alongside the May 2026 KAI partnership, signaling a tentative revival of the program under a Hyundai-KAI co-development model.
Supernal firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Supernal
- Legal name
- Supernal, LLC
- Website
- https://jobs.supernal.aero
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Supernal is Hyundai Motor Group's US subsidiary developing the S-A2 four-passenger eVTOL aircraft and an integrated Advanced Air Mobility ecosystem. The pre-revenue company is pursuing FAA Part 21 Type Certification for commercial airline air-taxi operations later this decade.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Supernal industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Urban Air Mobility / eVTOL Aircraft Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)
- SIC
- Aircraft (3721), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Air Taxi & Urban Air Mobility (eVTOL) Operators (TLAFAAAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Electric & Hybrid-Electric Propulsion (eVTOL/Regional) (IMABADAH), Autonomous Flight Control & Guidance Systems (UAS/Urban Air Mobility) (IMABAFAO), Special-Mission Fixed-Wing Aircraft Manufacturing (ISR, AEW&C, Patrol) (IMABAAAH)
Keywords
Where Supernal is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Irvine
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Supernal business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- eVTOL Aircraft Sales: Pre-revenue company developing eVTOL aircraft for air taxi services. Revenue model will be aircraft sales to airline partners and operators once certification is achieved. The S-A2 four-passenger eVTOL was targeted for 2028 certification.
- AAM Ecosystem Services: Developing ground-to-air ecosystem to support Advanced Air Mobility operations, including vertiport infrastructure and related services
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
Supernal product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Supernal is developing the S-A2, a four-passenger electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed for urban air taxi services and targeting FAA type certification for commercial deployment. The company is building an integrated Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) ecosystem that pairs the autonomous-capable aircraft with ground-to-air infrastructure including vertiport and FBO network partnerships. The S-A2 was originally targeted for 2028 certification, with future revenue from aircraft sales and services to airline partners and commercial operators.
Product overview
Supernal is developing a unified Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) ecosystem consisting of the S-A2 four-passenger eVTOL aircraft integrated with ground-to-air infrastructure. The S-A2 is designed from day one to be autonomous capable using advanced AI and machine learning technology. The company is working toward FAA type certification under Part 21, targeting commercial deployment in the 2028 timeframe.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- S-A2 eVTOL Aircraft
- Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Ground-to-Air Ecosystem
Companies that use Supernal
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Supernal technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability1 record
Feature3 records
Supernal partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI)flagshipHyundai Motor Group and KAI signed MOU on May 8, 2026 to jointly develop Advanced Air Mobility aircraft including eVTOL vehicles. Supernal contributes electric powertrain and mass-production expertise while KAI provides aircraft development capabilities. Collaboration extends to supply chains, certification processes, and global customer networks, with commercial deployment targeted for later this decade. This partnership revives historical connection as Hyundai previously held stake in KAI through Hyundai Space and Aircraft before selling it in 2016.
- Clay Lacy AviationcorePartnership announced October 22, 2024 between Supernal and Clay Lacy Aviation to prepare the Fixed Base Operator (FBO) network for Advanced Air Mobility operations. This prepares ground infrastructure and service network for future commercial eVTOL operations.
- GKN Aerospacecore2023 partnership between Supernal LLC and GKN Aerospace for eVTOL aerostructures. GKN successfully delivered full composite wing assembly and booms for Supernal's eVTOL demonstrator aircraft from UK facilities, with components critical to aircraft structural integrity supporting testing program aimed at commercial deployment.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Supernal competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Joby Aviation: Leading eVTOL air taxi developer pursuing FAA type certification with a four-passenger tilt-propeller aircraft. Direct competitor to Supernal's S-A2, with Delta and Toyota as strategic backers and a more advanced flight test and commercialization track record.
- Archer Aviation: Developing the Midnight four-passenger eVTOL aircraft targeting FAA certification and commercial air taxi operations with United Airlines and other partners. Most direct S-A2 competitor on configuration, target market, and certification timeline.
- Eve Air Mobility: Embraer-backed eVTOL developer building the Eve four-seat aircraft with strong order book from airlines and operators. Direct competitor in the urban air mobility space, benefiting from Embraer's aerospace manufacturing scale similar to Supernal/Hyundai.
- Vertical Aerospace: UK-based eVTOL developer building the VX4 four-passenger aircraft with pre-orders from airlines including Virgin Atlantic and American Airlines. Direct peer in the four-passenger eVTOL certification race with comparable target market.
- BETA Technologies: US-based eVTOL and electric aviation company developing the ALIA aircraft for passenger and cargo applications. Comparable in pursuing FAA certification, building charging infrastructure, and serving airline/cargo operators.
- Lilium: German eVTOL developer (now reorganized under new ownership) that pursued regional air mobility with a ducted-fan jet. Direct peer in the urban/regional air mobility category though targeting a different aircraft configuration.
- Wisk Aero: Boeing-owned autonomous eVTOL developer building the Generation 6 self-flying air taxi. Comparable on autonomous-by-design philosophy and air taxi mission, with Boeing's aerospace scale analogous to Hyundai's backing of Supernal.
Emerging players
- Overair: California-based eVTOL startup developing the Butterfly aircraft for urban air mobility. Emerging player with overlapping technology and customer segments but more limited capital backing than Supernal.
- Skyryse: Autonomous flight technology company developing flight automation systems that could enable eVTOL and conventional aircraft operations. Comparable on AI/ML flight autonomy approach intersecting with Supernal's autonomous-capable design.
Broad incumbents
- Hyundai Motor Group: Parent conglomerate providing capital, automotive manufacturing scale, and mass-production capabilities to Supernal. As the strategic owner and primary investor ($6B+ committed), Hyundai's broader automotive and electrification strategy directly shapes Supernal's competitive positioning.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Supernal social profiles
Digital presenceSupernal compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Supernal financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Supernal leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Supernal funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Supernal M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Supernal
What does Supernal do?
Supernal is developing the S-A2, a four-passenger electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed for urban air taxi services and targeting FAA type certification for commercial deployment. The company is building an integrated Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) ecosystem that pairs the autonomous-capable aircraft with ground-to-air infrastructure including vertiport and FBO network partnerships. The S-A2 was originally targeted for 2028 certification, with future revenue from aircraft sales and services to airline partners and commercial operators.
Is Supernal a public or private company?
Supernal is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Supernal founded?
Supernal was founded in 2020. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Supernal based?
Supernal is headquartered in Irvine, United States, in the North America region.
How does Supernal make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. eVTOL Aircraft Sales are the primary driver. The others are AAM Ecosystem Services.
Who are Supernal's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, Eve Air Mobility, Vertical Aerospace, BETA Technologies, Lilium and Wisk Aero. Emerging players are Overair and Skyryse. Hyundai Motor Group is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Supernal have an API?
No public API is recorded for Supernal.
What industry is Supernal in?
Supernal's product category is Urban Air Mobility / eVTOL Aircraft Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAFAAAD, Air Taxi & Urban Air Mobility (eVTOL) Operators, with a secondary code of IMABADAH, Electric & Hybrid-Electric Propulsion (eVTOL/Regional). Its NAICS code is 336411 and its SIC code is 3721.