A British company has unveiled ambitious plans for a 'flying taxi' service to whisk passengers to the airport, with this futuristic transport option set to cost no more than an Uber.

Vertical Aerospace claim that their electric Valo aircraft, which is designed to fly up to 150mph over distances of up to 100 miles, could offer fast and efficient city to airport connections, allowing passengers to avoid the traffic outside of airports. As an example, a flight from Canary Wharf to Heathrow Airport would take 12 minutes in the aircraft compared to an hour on the road.

The company, who recently carried out flight tests at Cotswolds Airport, is now aiming to get airliner-level safety certification by 2028 ahead of offering a commercial service in early 2029.

Vertical Aerospace released photos of its prototype aircraft, which they say offers a premium experience for up to six passengers, including plenty of luggage space. Images released of the aircraft show a sleek, modern design, and an interior with comfortable seats and large windows.

But while the aircraft have a premium look, the company aims to offer a service that's inexpensive and accessible. A spokesperson confirmed: "Ultimately, the potential is for this aircraft to be a similar cost as hiring an Uber."

Vertical also unveiled their planned route network at launch, which would initially connect Cambridge and Oxford-Bicester with the city, as well as Heathrow and Gatwick Airport.

In addition to airport transfers, the company says these new aircraft could be used for emergency medical services, delivering cargo, and even defence operations. Vertical confirmed it would be building seven aircraft in the UK to allow testing with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

In a statement, Vertical claimed to have around 1,500 pre-orders for Valo. It said that manufacturing these aircraft could create 2,000 skilled jobs in the UK by 2035.

Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, said: "Electric flight will transform how cities move, and London is one of the best places in the world to prove it. With Skyports and Bristow, we have the aircraft, infrastructure and operational strength to lead this market. These plans show the commercial potential of services we aim to see operating following regulatory approval in 2028 and we look forward to bringing them to life with our partners."

However, one hurdle for these futuristic vehicles could be gaining CAA approval. Currently, the CAA are running a consultation on vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft to ensure they can operate safely in the UK.

The consultation began last month, and will be open until the end of January 2026, with interested parties able to share their views. This will help create a set of safety standards for pilot licences, aircraft, and landing sites, to ensure VTOLs are properly regulated.

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