Vertical Aerospace has revealed the Valo, a commercial eVTOL designed to carry up to six passengers and successor to its VX4 prototype
The UK-based manufacturer revealed the full-scale aircraft at an event in London last week alongside plans to launch the country’s first electric air taxi network. Developed in collaboration with aerospace partners Honeywell, Syensqo and Aciturri, the Valo succeeds Vertical’s VX4 prototype and incorporates data from thousands of test flights conducted over the past three years.
Vertical is targeting type certification from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in 2028. The company will build seven certification aircraft in the UK to support final testing ahead of commercial service.
Valo’s aerodynamic design
The Valo, which can fly at speeds of up to 150mph (241km/h) over distances of 100 miles (161km) features a redesigned airframe with an under-floor battery system comprising eight liquid-cooled packs. Eight electric motors, each powered by multiple electrically isolated power lanes, provide redundancy to meet safety standards.
At entry into service, the aircraft will offer a payload capacity of 1,200 lb (550kg), which Vertical describes as the largest cargo hold in its class, with space for six cabin bags and six checked bags. The premium cabin launches with four seats and panoramic windows and a flexible design that enables seating for six passengers.
Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, said, “With the launch of Valo, Vertical moves from prototype developer to aerospace manufacturer. Valo is the aircraft that turns electric flight into a commercial reality.”
Canary Wharf eVTOL routes
Alongside the aircraft reveal, Vertical announced a partnership with Skyports Infrastructure and Bristow Group to establish UK air taxi routes. The first phase, planned from Q1 2029, will connect Canary Wharf with London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Cambridge and Oxford.
According to Vertical, the Canary Wharf-to-Heathrow route will reduce journey times from 60 to 90 minutes by ground to 12 minutes by air. Bristow will operate the services using its UK Air Operator Certificates (AOCs), while Skyports will provide the infrastructure, including its London Heliport and Bicester vertiport.
Flight testing to continue
The Valo announcement follows flight testing of the VX4 prototype, which in July 2025 completed the first airport-to-airport flight by a full-scale, piloted winged tilt-rotor eVTOL in the UK. That 17-mile (27km) flight from Cotswold Airport to RAF Fairford reached speeds of 115mph (185km/h) and an altitude of 1,800ft (549m).
Vertical has since completed Phase 3 wingborne testing, accumulating more than 215nm (400km) of flight data, and is now approaching transition flight testing.
According to Vertical it has around 1,500 pre-orders for the aircraft from customers including American Airlines, Japan Airlines, GOL and Bristow.
