Electric vehicle takeoff and landing (eVTOL) developer Vertical Aerospace has unveiled Valo, the latest evolution of its urban air mobility aircraft following the VX4 prototype.
On December 10, 2025, the first photos of Valo were released showing a much sleeker and sharper unit from the VX4, Vertical’s workhorse eVTOL prototype.
The ambition is for Valo to enter service following regulatory approval in 2028, as Vertical Aerospace’s first commercial eVTOL aircraft offering.
“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 – clean, quiet, fast and engineered for everyday service. It marks a new dawn in transport, one that will connect people in minutes, not hours,” said Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace.
Vertical Aerospace said that Valo’s more advanced design has been shaped by extensive insights from the company’s piloted test program and direct feedback from airline and operator customers.
Initially launching with four passenger seats, the aircraft’s flexible design enables expansion to six seats to increase economic efficiency.
Valo’s platform also supports emergency medical services, cargo missions, and, in the future, defense, hybrid, and autonomous variants.
Working with partners Honeywell, Syensqo and Aciturri, Vertical has introduced a more aerodynamic airframe, an under-floor battery system, redesigned wing and propeller architecture, upgraded materials, and full certifiable redundancy to meet the world’s most rigorous safety standards.
Vertical Aerospace has entered the fourth and final flight test phase for its VX4 prototype, which centers around full piloted transition flights where the aircraft moves from vertical lift to forward flight.
Vertical will now build seven certification aircraft in the UK to support final testing with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) ahead of targeted Type Certification in 2028.
“Valo sets a new standard – bigger, safer and more capable than anything in the sector. 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,” said Domhnal Slattery, Chair of Vertical Aerospace.
Vertical is among several industry leading developers hoping to introduce eVTOL aircraft for commercial and defense operations.
In the US both Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation are making good progress, but Vertical Aerospace are the only company among the front runners based in the UK.
UK’s first air taxi network
On December 10, 2025, Vertical Aerospace also announced plans to launch the UK’s first eVTOL network along with Skyports and Bristow Group.
According to the developer, the network would link Canary Wharf, a UK business hub, with major transport centers such as Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Cambridge and Oxford.
Travel, reinvented
— Vertical Aerospace (@VerticalAero) December 9, 2025
Arriving tomorrow.
Come see our new electric aircraft for yourself.
Just turn up – no tickets required.
📅 10 December
🕙 10:00–14:00
📍 The Pelligon, adjacent to Canary Wharf station
#VerticalAerospace $EVTL pic.twitter.com/CCbiHiYM7q
The project would combine Valo with Skyports’ London Heliport, Bicester Vertiport and future UK skyport network and Bristow’s operational expertise and UK Air Operator Certificates (AOCs).
The first network is planned to become operational in early 2029, with journeys between Canary Wharf and Heathrow cut from around an hour to just 12 minutes on Valo.
“Electric flight will transform how cities move, and London is one of the best places in the world to prove it. With Skyports and Bristow, we have the aircraft, infrastructure and operational strength to lead this market,” said Simpson.
Duncan Walker, CEO, Skyports Infrastructure added: “We’re excited to build on our long-standing relationship with Vertical. Our Skyports London Heliport and Bicester skyport, combined with our global infrastructure expertise, make us ideally positioned to support early eVTOL services in the UK. With Bristow’s operational strength, we can accelerate plans for electric air taxi routes across the region, with the plan to create a UK-wide network.”