Vertical Aerospace has launched Valo, its new commercial eVTOL aircraft that will enter into service following regulatory approval. It is the aircraft that succeeds Vertical's VX4 prototype, with a new, 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 150 mph with zero operating emissions, Valo is targeting airliner-level safety certification in 2028 ahead of entering service with our airline and operator customers. Early commercial routes are expected to include airport-to-city centre connections.

Valo's premium cabin will launch with four seats, offering panoramic windows, generous personal space and a cockpit divider for enhanced safety and privacy. The aircraft's flexible design enables expansion to six seats, with the potential to improve operator economics and lower fares for passengers. Valo's platform also supports emergency medical services, cargo missions and, in the future, defence, hybrid and autonomous variants.

Crucially, Valo features the largest cargo hold within its class, developed in response to airline feedback. With room for six cabin bags and six checked bags, passengers can travel without compromise, representing a major advantage on airport-to-city services.

Vertical 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.

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. After certification, Valo will enter commercial service.

Stuart Simpson, CEO, Vertical Aerospace, says: “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, Vertical Aerospace, adds: “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.”