Farnborough 2026: Vertical Aerospace makes history with first public eVTOL transition flight

British electric aircraft developer Vertical Aerospace has made aviation history at the Farnborough International Airshow by completing the first public electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) transition flight at the event.

The landmark demonstration saw the company’s full-scale VX4 prototype successfully transition from vertical take-off into wingborne forward flight before returning to a vertical landing, showcasing one of the most technically demanding phases of eVTOL operations.

Flown by Vertical’s Chief Test Pilot, Simon Davies, the aircraft took to the skies in front of aerospace industry leaders, regulators, airline executives and international media, marking a major milestone for both the company and the wider advanced air mobility sector.

The demonstration adds another chapter to Farnborough’s long history of aviation firsts, which stretches back to Samuel Cody’s pioneering powered flight in Britain in 1908 and includes the public debut of the Airbus A380 in 2006. For Vertical, the flight represents another step towards commercial certification of its next-generation electric aircraft.

Stuart Simpson, Chief Executive of Vertical Aerospace, described the flight as evidence that electric aviation is moving beyond the development stage.

“For more than a century, Farnborough has been the stage where aviation’s next chapter has been written. Today, we’re proud that Vertical has added another first to that remarkable history. Successfully demonstrating a public transition flight here is more than a technical milestone – it is proof that electric aviation is moving from promise to commercial reality.”

The achievement was welcomed by leaders from across the UK aerospace sector.

Kevin Craven, Chief Executive of ADS Group, said the flight demonstrated the UK’s leadership in advanced air mobility, while Aerospace Technology Institute Chief Executive Gary Elliott described it as “a significant moment” that highlighted the value of collaboration between industry and government in developing future aerospace technologies.

Gareth Rogers, Chief Executive of Farnborough International Airshow, said the demonstration reinforced the show’s reputation as a venue where new aerospace technologies are unveiled to the world.

Vertical’s aircraft, known as Valo, is designed to carry a pilot and four passengers using fully electric propulsion, delivering zero operational emissions while significantly reducing noise compared with conventional helicopters. The company is also developing a hybrid-electric variant to extend range and expand the aircraft’s operational capability.

The successful demonstration follows a series of recent commercial developments for the Bristol-based manufacturer, including a new partnership with autonomous flight specialist Near Earth Autonomy and the announcement of Sigma Air Mobility, part of the Luxaviation Group, as a new customer for the aircraft.

Vertical says it has around 1,500 pre-orders for Valo from customers across four continents, including airlines, aircraft lessors and helicopter operators, underlining growing confidence in the emerging advanced air mobility market.

The company plans to continue flying demonstrations throughout the remainder of the Farnborough International Airshow, subject to weather and flight approvals, while a full-scale model of the production aircraft is on display in Hall 4.