Vertical Aerospace has officially introduced Valo, its next-generation commercial eVTOL that succeeds the VX4 prototype and marks the company’s transition from prototype developer to full aerospace manufacturer.
Revealed in Canary Wharf, Valo represents a major milestone for both the company and the UK aviation sector, signalling the country’s return to manufacturing an all-new commercial aircraft for the first time in over 30 years.
A Completely Upgraded Aircraft
Shaped by data from Vertical’s full-scale piloted flight tests and feedback from airline partners, Valo features:
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A more aerodynamic airframe
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Under-floor liquid-cooled battery system
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Redesigned wing and propeller architecture
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Enhanced materials and full certifiable redundancy
Developed with partners including Honeywell, Syensqo and Aciturri, Valo is engineered to meet the world’s highest safety standards.
Performance & Capabilities
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Range: up to 100 miles
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Cruise speed: up to 150 mph
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Noise: <50 dBA in cruise
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Zero operating emissions
The aircraft targets airliner-level certification in 2028, with early commercial routes expected on airport–city centre corridors.
Premium Cabin, Flexible Mission Set
Valo debuts with a four-seat premium cabin featuring expansive windows and generous space, expandable to six seats to improve operator economics.
Its platform supports:
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EMS missions
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Cargo operations
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Future defence, hybrid and autonomous variants
With the largest luggage capacity in its class, Valo is designed with both passenger experience and operational efficiency in mind.
From Prototype to Certified Product
Vertical is nearing full transition flight with its VX4 prototype, having already validated hover and wingborne performance. The company will now build seven certification aircraft in the UK for final tests with the CAA and EASA ahead of Type Certification in 2028.
Economic Impact for the UK
An independent Frontier Economics report estimates that Valo’s introduction could generate over 2,000 high-skilled jobs and contribute £3 billion annually to the UK economy by 2035, solidifying the nation’s position in next-generation aerospace.