Race heats up among pioneers for early-stage commercial eVTOL operations

UK-based Vertical Aerospace aims to bring its VX4 model to market by 2026 with high-profile customers like Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Japan Air Lines, and Bristow. The start-up has reported provisional sales from customers on four continents totaling about 1,500 aircraft valued at up to $6 billion.

California-based Supernal plans to unveil a full-scale mock-up of its S-A2 aircraft at Farnborough. Backed by South Korean automotive group Hyundai, Supernal aims for FAA type certification in 2028. Unlike Joby Aviation which targets entry-into-service next year, Supernal plans its first flight with a technology demonstrator by the end of this year.

Joby Aviation is advancing series production of its four-passenger eVTOL model with support from Toyota. In June, it acquired autonomous flight control system developer Xwing.

Boeing’s Wisk Aero subsidiary will display its sixth-generation eVTOL design at Farnborough. Wisk aims for fully autonomous operations despite regulatory uncertainties outside China.

Airbus has taken a different approach with its CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL aircraft and expects deliveries by the end of this decade without operating the aircraft itself.

In Germany, Lilium awaits confirmation of €100 million ($107 million) in fresh funding to certify its Lilium Jet eVTOL by late 2025. Textron continues work on its Nexus eVTOL aircraft targeting flight tests in 2025.

Embraer-backed Eve Air Mobility builds its first four-passenger eVTOL prototype in Brazil aiming for type certification in 2026.

Other participants include UK start-up Arc Aerosystems working on various rotorcraft designs and Spain's Crisalion Mobility presenting plans for its Integrity six-seat eVTOL design.