Airlines Influence Electric VTOL Design for Faster, More Efficient Travel

Vertical Aerospace has unveiled its new eVTOL aircraft Valo at an exclusive event in London’s Canary Wharf. The company’s design was influenced by insights from its piloted test program and direct feedback from airline customers, including American Airlines, Japan Airlines, GOL, and Bristow. According to Vertical’s Chief Test Pilot Simon Davies, the new design aims to reduce travel times from two-plus hours to 20 minutes, while also accommodating passenger baggage. AeroTime reports that the company has around 1,500 pre-orders for its aircraft and has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Héli Air Monaco for a pre-order. The Valo prototype will undergo final testing with the UK CAA and EASA before entry into service.