Vertical Aerospace’s eVTOL Achieves Historic Flight

On July 16, 2025, Vertical Aerospace announced that it had completed the very first flight between two airports by an eVTOL aircraft.

The main innovation of this full-scale eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) lies in its tilt-rotor architecture. The VX4 prototype flew the 17 miles separating Cotswold Airport and the RAF base at Fairford, reaching a speed of 115 mph (185 km/h) and an altitude of 1,800 feet.

This flight, authorized by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), marks a significant milestone in the development of the aircraft. It was the first public flight and landing in a real airport environment for the VX4, a vehicle designed for commercial passenger transport operations.

The aircraft is currently showcased at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), one of the largest airshows in the world, taking place at RAF Fairford from July 18 to 20. The VX4 is the only electric aircraft on display there. Its presence aims to demonstrate the possibilities of electric aviation in the civil, military, and logistics fields.

Vertical Aerospace is also developing a hybrid-electric version of the VX4, which is currently in the preparation phase. This future variant will offer a range of up to 1,000 miles (approximately 1,600 km), a payload capacity of 1,100 kg, and capabilities compatible with piloted, autonomous, or remote-controlled operations. Its first test flight is scheduled for the second quarter of 2026.

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The company, based in Bristol, collaborates with several major players in the aerospace sector, including Honeywell, GKN, and Leonardo. It claims to have around 1,500 pre-orders for the VX4, coming from American Airlines, Japan Airlines, and GOL.

The exhibition of the VX4 at RIAT allows Vertical to engage with representatives from the military and civil sectors, highlighting the potential offered by electric and hybrid solutions in aviation, particularly in reducing emissions and enhancing operational capabilities.

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