Vertical Aerospace Sets First Public eVTOL Flights for Farnborough International Airshow

Vertical Aerospace plans to conduct the first public eVTOL demonstration flights at the Farnborough International Airshow, scheduled for July 20-24, 2026. For an event that has hosted generations of aircraft debuts, an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft flying publicly marks a notable step in the program's progression.

A year of milestones behind the flight line

The demonstration flights cap a period in which Vertical Aerospace launched its commercial aircraft, Valo, and completed successful piloted transition flights. The company has strengthened its balance sheet, expanded its global technology ecosystem, advanced its hybrid-electric defense strategy, and continued executing against its certification program.

"Vertical arrives at Farnborough with the key building blocks now in place. Over the past year we've transformed the business – from launching Valo and achieving piloted transition to strengthening our financial position and expanding our industrial ecosystem. We've proven the technology."

— Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace

Regulatory clearance opens the door

The planned flights follow the UK Civil Aviation Authority's expansion of Vertical's Permit to Fly, authorizing public demonstration flights away from the company's Flight Test Centre at Cotswold Airport. Since receiving that approval, Vertical's test pilots have flown into multiple airports — RAF Brize Norton, RAF Benson, Blackbushe Airport, and Farnborough Airport — broadening the flight test program across varied operating environments.

Ecosystem and order book

Vertical Aerospace arrives at the show backed by global partners including Honeywell Aerospace, Aciturri, and Hyundai WIA, alongside Evolito, Syensqo, Sonaca, and Isoclima. The company reports approximately 1,500 conditional pre-orders from customers across four continents, among them American Airlines, Avolon, Bristow, GOL, and Japan Airlines.

What attendees will see

Beyond the flight demonstrations, Vertical Aerospace will display a full-scale commercial model of Valo at the event. Attendees can join the Vertical Aerospace WhatsApp channel for updates on demonstration flight times. Company executives will also join discussions on the future of Advanced Air Mobility during the show.