FANCY beating the traffic and getting stunning panoramic views after a long flight? An air taxi might do the trick.
Britain may now be just two (and a bit) years away from flying cabs taking to the skies, letting you slash journey times by soaring over cars and trains at between 150mph and 200mph.
Two all-electric helicopter-busting brands are now very close to a UK launch, turning what was once science fiction into a reality.
Vertical Aerospace Valo
If you’re hoping to hop on board a flying taxi, it might be on the Valo.
That’s the name of Vertical Aerospace’s “premium” air cab, which is almost ready to go.
The Sun’s tech desk has been writing about Vertical Aerospace for a while – and even checked out the VX4 prototype at Cotswolds Airport back in February.
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Then in early December, Vertical Aerospace finally unveiled the Valo – the “significantly enhanced” version of the craft that is aiming for approval in 2028.
Once it has regulatory sign-off, it’ll be able to enter commercial service – ferrying Brits and tourists across the skies at 150mph.
That’s far quicker than sitting in a traffic jam at rush hour.
“Designed to fly up to 100 miles at speeds of up to 150mph with zero operating emissions, Valo is targeting airliner-level safety certification in 2028 ahead of entering service with our airline and operator customers,” Vertical Aerospace said.
“Early commercial routes are expected to include airport-to-city centre connections.”
It has a premium cabin with room for up to six passengers, plus what it describes as “class-leading luggage capacity”.
The cabin has panoramic windows, generous personal space, a cockpit divider, and room for six cabin bags plus six checked bags.
Valo runs off eight liquid-cooled underfloor battery packs and a 12-minute “short-mission” recharge time.
Vertical Aerospace is already taking orders from commercial partners who will actually operate the flights.
And the UK-based company says that it has already received 1,500 pre-orders for the Valo across four continents.
VERTICAL AEROSPACE ROUTE TIMES REVEALED
Vertical Aerospace example routes include:
Battersea to London Heathrow (15 miles):
- Air Taxi: 8 minutes
- Road: 52 minutes
- Rail: 65 minutes
Miami Airport to Fort Lauderdale (22 miles):
- Air Taxi: 11 minutes
- Road: 80 minutes
- Rail: 60 minutes
Yumeshima Port to Osaka Itami Airport (29 miles):
- Air Taxi: 9 minutes
- Road: 50 minutes
Picture Credit: Vertical Aerospace
Virgin Atlantic
Hoping to rival the Valo is Virgin Atlantic, which has teamed up with Joby.
Joby is one of the leading brands in air taxi development, and has an electric craft built to carry a pilot plus four passengers.
And it’s expected to whizz through the air at 200mph.
Virgin Atlantic customers will be able to reserve a seat on a Joby craft through the airline’s official app or website.
And it’ll offer short-haul trips, initially from major airline hubs that Virgin Atlantic is operating at.
“The partnership aims to offer seamless, zero-emission, short-range journeys across the UK,” Virgin Atlantic said.
“Starting with regional and city connections from Virgin Atlantic’s hubs at Heathrow and Manchester Airport.”
The air tax has six tilting propellers that allow for vertical take-off and landing.
And it says it’s significantly quieter than modern helicopters.
Virgin Atlantic reckons the aircraft will be capable of “rapid, back-to-back flights”, and will be deployed on routes of “up to 100 miles”.
Joby has already completed thousands of test flights, and is waiting for regulatory approval.
Several air taxi routes have already been teased by Virgin Atlantic as part of the partnership reveal earlier this year.
That includes a “15-minute flight from Manchester Airport to Leeds“.
And it also said that it could deliver an “8-minute journey from Heathrow Airport to Canary Wharf”, which it notes would usually take “80 minutes by car”.
“Over time, Joby expects to build out a network of landing locations that offer rapid and convenient travel around cities and communities throughout the UK,” Virgin Atlantic said.
“Joby expects to offer prices that are comparable with existing premium ground ridesharing options at launch.”
