The flight taxi journey begins as Vertical Aerospace aims for a US launch in 2028
Vertical Aerospace is working to launch its electric take-off and landing aircraft by 2028.
The future of travel may soon take flight.
“It’s going to revolutionize urban transportation around the world’s major cities,” said Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, as the company unveiled a next-generation electric air taxi in the US designed to transport passengers through congested cities in minutes instead of hours.
UK-based Vertical Aerospace is developing an electric take-off and landing aircraft, or eVTOL, that aims to relieve gridlock in major cities like New York, Los Angeles and Tokyo, where ground transportation is reaching its limits.
Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 aircraft will be launched in mid-2028. (Vertical Aerospace)
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Flying at up to 150 mph and a range of nearly 100 miles, the aircraft is designed to seat four passengers in a premium configuration, with the flexibility to accommodate up to six helicopter-style seats. It can carry multiple roller bags and personal items, making it ideal for airport transfers and short regional trips.
The aircraft’s flight system is designed to be quieter than traditional helicopters, an important factor for regulators and city officials concerned about noise pollution in dense urban areas.
“We designed this aircraft to meet the highest safety standards in the world, on par with Airbus or Boeing,” Simpson said.
The interior of the Vertical Aerospace plane that looks to be confirmed for 2028. (FOX Business Network)
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Vertical Aerospace says its air taxi is intended for a wide range of uses, including air transfers, intercity travel, aerial reconnaissance, emergency medical flights, cargo delivery and security operations.
“There’s government support here in the US, government support in Europe, Asia,” Simpson said. “The product is here and ready to go.”
The company is targeting certification of its aircraft by 2028, which would allow it to begin commercial operations in the US and around the world shortly thereafter. Vertical Aerospace says it works closely with US aviation regulators, including the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Transportation, as part of the certification process.
Production and deliveries are expected to begin following regulatory approval. The company plans to deliver at least 175 aircraft by 2030, with a long-term goal of producing as many as 900 aircraft per year by 2035.
Vertical Aerospace is targeting certification of its aircraft by 2028. (FOX Business Network)
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In New York City, Vertical Aerospace shared proposed route plans with partners including Bristow, a leading helicopter operator, and Skyports, which owns the Downtown Skyport and specializes in air taxi infrastructure. Planned use cases include airport transfers, event travel, weekend and leisure travel, cross-town travel, aerial sightseeing and emergency services.
Vertical Aerospace Chairman Dómhnal Slattery likened the rise of the electric plane to previous successes that have changed the way people travel the world.
“When you think about aviation, there have been three big moments,” Slattery said. “One hundred years ago, the Wright brothers were here in America. In the 1950s, jet engines changed the way people traveled. And now we have electric airplanes.”
Vertical Aerospace’s electric air taxi can transition to major US cities. (FOX Business Network)
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He added that in today’s big cities, change may be inevitable.
“People have reached a point in the big cities of the world, whether it’s New York, Los Angeles or Tokyo, where they can’t walk around on the ground,” Slattery said. “So the only way is up, on the highways of the sky.”
The company’s progress comes as the US government released a national strategy aimed at accelerating the adoption of electric air taxis. Officials say the system could transform mobility, speed emergency response times, increase access to health care and change the way goods move through major urban areas.
As regulators, builders and infrastructure providers move closer to bringing the technology to market, air taxis could soon become a visible part of everyday transportation, cutting travel times from hours to minutes in some of the country’s most congested cities.
