Vertical Aerospace, a global aerospace and technology company pioneering electric aviation, unveiled Valo, its new commercial eVTOL aircraft that will enter service pending regulatory approval. Valo succeeds the company’s VX4 prototype and features a more advanced design shaped by Vertical’s piloted flight-test program and direct feedback from airline and operator customers.Developed in collaboration with Honeywell, Syensqo and Aciturri, Valo introduces a redesigned aerodynamic airframe, an under-floor battery system, re-engineered wing and propeller architecture, upgraded materials and full certifiable redundancy to meet international aviation safety standards. The aircraft is designed to fly up to 100 miles at speeds of up to 150 mph with zero operating emissions. Vertical is targeting airliner-level safety certification in 2028, with early commercial routes expected to include airport-to-city connections.Valo will debut with a four-seat premium cabin featuring panoramic windows, expanded personal space and a cockpit divider for added safety and privacy. The aircraft’s flexible platform supports a future six-seat configuration aimed at improving operator economics and reducing fares. Its design also supports emergency medical services, cargo missions and future defense, hybrid and autonomous variants. Responding to airline feedback, Valo incorporates the largest luggage capacity in its class, with room for six cabin bags and six checked bags.Vertical is nearing completion of full piloted transition flight with its full-scale prototype—a key maneuver in electric aviation that shifts the aircraft from vertical lift to forward flight. Previous test phases validated hover, thrustborne and wingborne performance and generated thousands of data points that informed Valo’s certifiable design.The company plans to build seven certification aircraft in the United Kingdom to support final testing with the UK Civil Aviation Authority and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency ahead of its targeted 2028 Type Certification. Following certification, Valo will enter commercial service.“With the launch of Valo, Vertical moves from prototype developer to aerospace manufacturer,” said Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace. “Valo is the aircraft that turns electric flight into a commercial reality—clean, quiet, fast and engineered for everyday service. It marks a new dawn in transport, one that will connect people in minutes, not hours.”“Valo sets a new standard—bigger, safer and more capable than anything in the sector,” said Domhnal Slattery, chair of Vertical Aerospace. “It’s a breakthrough for aviation and a clear sign of the UK’s leadership in aerospace. Valo embodies the best of Vertical—precision engineering, passenger-first design and deep collaboration with global aerospace partners—creating an aircraft with the most compelling operator economics.”According to an independent report from Frontier Economics, the introduction of Valo is expected to mark the United Kingdom’s return to designing and manufacturing a new commercial aircraft for the first time in more than 30 years. By 2035, Vertical Aerospace is projected to create more than 2,000 high-skilled jobs in the UK and contribute £3 billion annually to the economy.

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Vertical Aerospace revealed Valo, its new commercial eVTOL aircraft that will succeed the VX4 prototype and is expected to enter service after achieving airliner-level safety certification targeted for 2028. Developed with major aerospace partners, Valo features a redesigned aerodynamic airframe, under-floor battery system, upgraded materials, and full certifiable redundancy. The aircraft is designed for zero-emission flights up to 100 miles and is positioned to support passenger transport, cargo, emergency medical services and future autonomous and defense applications.

Vertical Aerospace Unveils Valo, a Next-Generation eVTOL Designed to Transform Urban Air Mobility

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