Bristol-based
Vertical Aerospace, a global aerospace and technology company pioneering electric aviation, recently unveiled Valo, its new commercial eVTOL aircraft that will enter service following regulatory approval. Valo succeeds Vertical’s VX4 prototype with a more advanced design shaped by extensive insights from the company’s piloted test programme and direct feedback from airline and operator customers.
Developed in collaboration with leading aerospace partners including Honeywell, Syensqo and Aciturri, Valo introduces 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. Designed to fly up to 100 miles at speeds of up to 150mph with zero operating emissions, Valo is targeting airliner-level safety certification in 2028 ahead of entering service with airline and operator customers. Early commercial routes are expected to include airport-to-city centre connections.
Valo’s flexible design enables expansion to six seats, improving operator economics and lowering fares for passengers. The platform also supports emergency medical services, cargo missions and, in the future, defence, hybrid and autonomous variants. Responding to airline feedback, Valo features the largest cargo hold within its class, with room for six cabin bags and six checked bags, allowing passengers to travel without compromise. The premium cabin will launch with four seats, offering panoramic windows, generous personal space and a cockpit divider for enhanced safety and privacy.
Vertical Aerospace is now close to completing full piloted transition flight with its full-scale prototype — the defining manoeuvre of electric aviation in which the aircraft shifts from vertical lift to forward flight. Earlier test phases validated hover, thrustborne and wingborne performance, generating thousands of data points that directly shaped Valo’s certifiable design.
Final testingThe company 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. After certification, Valo will enter commercial service.
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 – clean, quiet, fast and engineered for everyday service. It marks a new dawn in transport, one that will connect people in minutes, not hours.”
Domhnal Slattery, chair of Vertical Aerospace, added: “Valo sets a new standard – bigger, safer and more capable than anything in the sector. It is 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.”
The introduction of Valo will mark the UK’s return to designing and manufacturing new whole commercial aircraft for the first time in over 30 years and represents a significant opportunity for the national economy. According to an independent report published by Frontier Economics, Vertical is expected to create over 2,000 high-skilled UK jobs and contribute £3 billion annually to the economy by 2035.