Electric air taxi company, supported by American Airlines, sets out to revolutionize transportation methods
British electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft company, Vertical Aerospace, is making significant strides in the development of its VX4 aircraft, aiming for commercial operation by 2028. Backed by industry giants such as Honeywell, Rolls-Royce, and American Airlines, the company is poised to revolutionise air travel with its zero-emission eVTOL aircraft.
In May 2025, Vertical Aerospace successfully completed a landmark flight of its VX4 prototype from Cotswold Airport in the UK, including critical wing-borne flight testing. A full piloted transition flight demonstrating the VX4's ability to switch between vertical lift and forward cruise is planned for the second half of 2025.
The company has also delivered a third full-scale VX4 prototype and strengthened its test pilot team with experienced pilots, including Paul Stone, former Chief Test Pilot at Volocopter. To accelerate development, Vertical Aerospace has forged an enhanced strategic alliance with Bristow Group, a global aviation services provider, aiming to reduce entry costs and operational complexity by offering a turnkey “ready-to-fly” model.
American Airlines has joined Vertical Aerospace to support the launch of the VX4 electric air taxi globally, underscoring confidence in Vertical’s technology and commercial approach. As of March 31, 2025, Vertical Aerospace holds £69 million ($89 million) in cash and equivalents, enough to fund operations through late 2025.
The VX4 aircraft is designed to fit four business-class seats and up to 70 pounds of luggage per passenger, with the potential to scale to six seats. The passenger cabin is separated from the pilot by a barrier at the front of the aircraft. Upon its European debut, Vertical Aerospace aims to enter the U.S. market within three to six months.
Vertical Aerospace's competitor, Archer Aviation, plans to debut its Midnight aircraft as early as this year in Abu Dhabi, and aims to launch in New York City as soon as 2026, pending regulatory approval. Joby Aviation, in partnership with Delta Air Lines and Uber, plans to launch its electric flying taxis in Dubai this year and in the U.S. in the following years, pending FAA certification.
Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, envisions consumers using these aircraft for their daily commutes as a solution to urban traffic congestion, with an estimated half-billion more people moving into cities over the next few years. The VX4 aircraft will first become available for passenger service in the U.K. in 2028, and the company aims to become readily available for consumers in the next three years.
Simpson believes that the low-altitude economy will become increasingly important as cities struggle with traffic congestion, marking the first step toward a future of having "highways in the sky." The VX4 aircraft is designed to offer silent takeoff and landing, and the ability to cruise, carrying people or things significant distances. The hybrid version of the VX4 aircraft, with a range of up to 1,000 miles and a payload capacity of up to 60,000 pounds, is targeting the defense market.
With approximately $2.5 billion flowing into the main competitors in the electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft sector, including Vertical Aerospace, it is clear that the race to commercialise zero-emission eVTOL aircraft for business-class passengers is heating up. Vertical Aerospace's VX4 aircraft is still set to launch in mid-2028, ushering in a new era of sustainable and efficient air travel.
The capital of finance raised by Vertical Aerospace, amounting to £69 million ($89 million), is enough to fund the company's operations until late 2025, potentially influencing the economy with the launch of the VX4 aircraft. The technology advancement in the air travel sector, as exemplified by the VX4, is anticipated to significantly impact the economy, with the potential for zero-emission eVTOL aircraft to revolutionise finance and transportation.
