The New York stop follows Valo’s unveiling in London in December 2025 and forms part of Vertical’s broader engagement with customers, investors, regulators and partners ahead of a planned entry into service, subject to regulatory approval currently expected in 2028.

 

 

Valo is Vertical’s certification-ready electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. It is designed for flights of up to 100 miles at speeds of up to 150 mph, with zero operating emissions, and is being developed to meet airliner-level safety standards. The initial cabin configuration offers four seats with panoramic windows, generous personal space and class-leading luggage capacity, with a design that allows for potential expansion to six seats.

 

 

The aircraft is targeting certification in 2028, enabling entry into service in the U.S. and internationally with airline and operator customers, including American Airlines. Its arrival in New York marks the first opportunity for U.S. audiences to view the aircraft at full scale.

 

Exploring electric air travel operations in New York

Alongside the aircraft tour, Vertical is working with Bristow and Skyports to assess future electric air mobility operations in and out of Manhattan. The proposed use cases focus on operational feasibility, infrastructure integration and practical applications, drawing on Bristow’s global operating experience and Skyports’ existing urban skyport locations, including Downtown Skyport in Manhattan.

 

New York City is viewed as a suitable environment for advanced air mobility due to its density, congestion and established heliport network. Use cases under consideration include airport transfers between Downtown Skyport and regional airports such as John F. Kennedy International Airport, event travel to venues including MetLife Stadium, aerial sightseeing flights, leisure routes to East Hampton, cross-town urban transfers between existing heliports, and selected emergency medical transfer missions within the wider New York area.

 

This work builds on a recent UK collaboration between Vertical, Bristow and Skyports, which outlined planned electric air-taxi routes from Canary Wharf to major transport hubs, including London Heathrow Airport.

 

Public display in Manhattan

To mark the start of the U.S. tour, Valo will be on public display on Friday, 23 January 2026, from 09:00 to 17:00 EST at the Classic Car Club Manhattan. Visitors will be able to view the aircraft at full scale and learn more about Vertical’s technology and certification programme. No tickets are required.

 

Stuart Simpson, Chief Executive Officer of Vertical Aerospace, said the New York visit builds on the momentum from the London unveiling and reflects progress across testing, partnerships and certification, while keeping safety and real-world operations at the core. Bristow Group President and CEO Chris Bradshaw noted that evaluating eVTOL use cases in a complex market such as New York allows the company to apply its operational experience to emerging aviation concepts as technology and regulation mature. Skyports Infrastructure CEO Duncan Walker said the assessments help demonstrate how existing and planned infrastructure could support a range of journeys as electric aviation develops.