Vertical Aerospace (NYSE:EVTL), the British developer of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has reached a critical milestone in its path toward commercial flight.
The company announced Monday that it has completed its third and final full-scale prototype aircraft, a move that will double its flight testing capacity as it enters a pivotal year for the burgeoning electric aviation sector.
The new aircraft, which is an exact replica of the prototype currently undergoing transition flight testing in the United Kingdom, is scheduled to begin piloted trials in January 2026.
By expanding its fleet, the Bristol-based company aims to accelerate its data collection and support a series of public demonstrations throughout 2026.
This final prototype integrates advanced hardware from top-tier aerospace partners, including flight control systems from Honeywell, high-power battery cells from Molicel, and composite materials from Syensqo.
The timing of the rollout is strategic.
Vertical Aerospace is preparing for an extensive U.S. tour starting in January 2026, with New York City serving as the debut location.
The tour is intended to showcase "Valo," the company’s next-generation certification aircraft, to potential customers and regulators.
While the current prototypes are essential for proving the underlying technology, the Valo model represents the final design intended for commercial service, which the company currently projects for 2028.
As part of the certification process, Vertical plans to manufacture seven Valo aircraft in the U.K. to support rigorous testing mandates from the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
CEO Stuart Simpson noted that the addition of the final prototype is an "important step" in closing out the developmental phase of the program.
Interestingly, the company also plans to retrofit this new aircraft for hybrid-electric testing later in 2026, exploring range-extension technologies that could broaden the use cases for electric air taxis beyond short-range urban hops.
The completion of the prototype comes amid a tightening race in the "flying taxi" market, where firms are under increasing pressure to demonstrate safety and operational reliability to investors.
With its most recent test flight completed on December 19, Vertical Aerospace is maintaining a brisk testing cadence as it attempts to secure a leading position in the future of sustainable regional transport.