Vertical CEO: New Valo eVTOL Will Be ‘People’s Air Taxi’

CEO Stuart Simpson tells BBC Today that passenger flights will cost the ‘same as a cab.’

Jack Daleo

Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 08:00 AM ET

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Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Vertical’s newly unveiled Valo has a projected range of 100 miles, with capacity for four passengers at launch and six passengers in the future. [Credit: Vertical Aerospace]

Key Takeaways:

Vertical Aerospace unveiled Valo, its new eVTOL aircraft, with CEO Stuart Simpson projecting it as the "people's air taxi" due to anticipated costs comparable to a regular cab after an initial premium phase.
Valo is an upgraded successor to the VX4 prototype, featuring improved aerodynamics, quieter operation (under 50 dBA), and aiming for "airliner-level safety certification" by 2028.
The company plans to launch commercial operations by 2029, starting with U.K. routes connecting London to key airports, supported by partnerships and approximately 1,500 preorders from airlines like American Airlines and Japan Airlines.

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U.K. developer Vertical Aerospace this week unveiled its flagship electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, Valo, which, according to CEO Stuart Simpson, will be the “people’s air taxi.”

A chief criticism of eVTOL aircraft is their anticipated cost, leading many to characterize electric air taxis as a service for the wealthy. But Simpson said that won’t be the case for Vertical’s flagship model.