American Airlines has ordered 250 electric flying taxis to ferry passengers around cities at speeds of up to 200 mph. Take a look at the VX4.

Stephen Jones,Taylor RainsJul 21, 2022, 16:44 IST

The VX4 is being developed by the UK firm Vertical Aerospace.Stephen Jones / Business Insider

American Airlines pre-ordered 250 VX4 flying taxis from UK aerospace firm Vertical Aerospace.
Insider recently saw a prototype of the VX4 unveiled at the Farnborough International Airshow 2022.

American Airlines is betting big on flying taxis.

American Airlines aircraft.AP Photo/Steven Senne

The airline conditionally pre-ordered 250 of Vertical Aerospace's VX4 eVTOLs in June 2021, with an option for 100 more. On July 15, 2022, American agreed delivery slots on the first 50 of those.

Vertical AerospaceVertical Aerospace

The airline conditionally pre-ordered 250 of Vertical Aerospace's VX4 eVTOLs in June 2021, with an option for 100 more. On July 15, 2022, American agreed delivery slots on the first 50 of those.

eVTOLs, short for Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing aircraft, are seen by some as the future of short-distance air travel and as a contribution towards the air industry's target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Major planemakers like Boeing (which backs Wisk), Airbus, and Embraer are all developing prototypes of their own.JUSTIN TALLIS / Contributor Getty Images

eVTOLs, short for Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing aircraft, are seen by some as the future of short-distance air travel and as a contribution towards the air industry's target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

UK firm Vertical Aerospace is one of several startups seeking approval from aviation regulators for eVTOLs.

Lilium, Supernal, and Joby Aviation are other companies designing eVTOLs.Vertical Aersopace

Designers often describe eVTOLs as a form of flying taxi. The aircraft will be more environmentally friendly, quieter, and faster than helicopters, which are used for similar intercity air travel, designers say.

eVTOLs could improve inner-city and inter-city travel.Gary Hershorn/Getty Images

Designers often describe eVTOLs as a form of flying taxi. The aircraft will be more environmentally friendly, quieter, and faster than helicopters, which are used for similar intercity air travel, designers say.

Insider recently saw a prototype of Vertical Aerospace's VX4 on display at the Farnborough Airshow 2022. Here's what the vehicle could look like.

The VX4 is being developed by the UK firm Vertical Aerospace.Stephen Jones / Business Insider

Vertical Aerospace's fully electric VX4 will be capable of transporting five people — one pilot and four passengers — distances up to 100 miles, the company says. It could reach speeds of up to 200 miles per hour.

Vertical Aerospace's VX4 from the front.Stephen Jones

Vertical Aerospace's fully electric VX4 will be capable of transporting five people — one pilot and four passengers — distances up to 100 miles, the company says. It could reach speeds of up to 200 miles per hour.

The craft doesn't have engines but instead has eight EPUs (Electrical Power Units) developed by Rolls-Royce.

The Vx4 doesn't have engines but has EPUs instead.Stephen Jones Business Insider

The four EPUs at the back stay in a static position.

Honeywell, the US aerospace manufacturer, is developing the flight controls and avionics.Stephen Jones / Business Insider

The prototype cabin has room for four passengers and baggage compartments under the seat.

The VX4 cabin sits four passengers, with luggage storage under the seats.Stephen Jones / Business Insider

There are holds for bigger bags that are accessible on the exterior of the fuselage.

Luggage storage on the VX4 behind the cockpit.Stephen Jones / Business Insider

Vertical Aerospace is preparing to begin test flights in the summer, starting with a prototype of the aircraft identical to the mockup.

The spokesperson said that the final design could change depending on the results.Stephen Jones / Business Insider

Vertical Aerospace hopes the craft will be certified by aviation regulators from 2025. American Airlines' preorder is on the condition that the vehicle is approved.

VX4Stephen Jones / Business Insider

"We believe these aircraft are a step forward in the future of air mobility, particularly in urban city centers," an American Airlines spokesperson told Insider.

The ability of eVTOLs to ferry initially premium paying passengers between transport hubs and city centers is a major appeal for airlines.Andrew Aitchison / Contributor / Getty

American is not the only major carrier interested in the craft. Vertical Aerospace said it has around 1,400 conditional preorders, from airlines including Virgin Atlantic, AirAsia and Japan Airlines.

Virgin Atlantic has also placed preorders for the Vertical Aerospace's Ax4.Vertical Aerospace / Mockup

American is not the only major carrier interested in the craft. Vertical Aerospace said it has around 1,400 conditional preorders, from airlines including Virgin Atlantic, AirAsia and Japan Airlines.

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American Airlines has ordered 250 electric flying taxis to ferry passengers around cities at speeds of up to 200 mph. Take a look at the VX4.

American Airlines is betting big on flying taxis.

The airline conditionally pre-ordered 250 of Vertical Aerospace's VX4 eVTOLs in June 2021, with an option for 100 more. On July 15, 2022, American agreed delivery slots on the first 50 of those.

eVTOLs, short for Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing aircraft, are seen by some as the future of short-distance air travel and as a contribution towards the air industry's target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

UK firm Vertical Aerospace is one of several startups seeking approval from aviation regulators for eVTOLs.

Designers often describe eVTOLs as a form of flying taxi. The aircraft will be more environmentally friendly, quieter, and faster than helicopters, which are used for similar intercity air travel, designers say.

Insider recently saw a prototype of Vertical Aerospace's VX4 on display at the Farnborough Airshow 2022. Here's what the vehicle could look like.

Vertical Aerospace's fully electric VX4 will be capable of transporting five people — one pilot and four passengers — distances up to 100 miles, the company says. It could reach speeds of up to 200 miles per hour.

The craft doesn't have engines but instead has eight EPUs (Electrical Power Units) developed by Rolls-Royce.

The four EPUs at the back stay in a static position.

The prototype cabin has room for four passengers and baggage compartments under the seat.

There are holds for bigger bags that are accessible on the exterior of the fuselage.

Vertical Aerospace is preparing to begin test flights in the summer, starting with a prototype of the aircraft identical to the mockup.

Vertical Aerospace hopes the craft will be certified by aviation regulators from 2025. American Airlines' preorder is on the condition that the vehicle is approved.

"We believe these aircraft are a step forward in the future of air mobility, particularly in urban city centers," an American Airlines spokesperson told Insider.

American is not the only major carrier interested in the craft. Vertical Aerospace said it has around 1,400 conditional preorders, from airlines including Virgin Atlantic, AirAsia and Japan Airlines.