Electric Air Taxis Planned to Fly NYC Residents to Airports in 7 Minutes

Vertical Aerospace's new Valo aircraft aims to dramatically cut travel time between Manhattan and major airports.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Vertical Aerospace is preparing to bring its fully electric aircraft, Valo, to New York City as part of an ambitious plan to introduce rapid, low-emission air travel across the region. In partnership with Bristow Group and Skyports Infrastructure, the company aims to create routes that can transfer commuters to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and other airports in just seven minutes.

Why it matters

The new electric air taxis offer a glimpse of what high-speed urban mobility may soon look like, with zero-emission flight, low noise levels, rapid journey times, and airliner-level safety standards. This could dramatically cut travel time between Manhattan and major airports, turning multi-hour road journeys into quick flights.

The details

Vertical Aerospace expects Valo to receive regulatory approval in 2028. The aircraft features four seats in a cabin offering panoramic windows, generous personal space, and luggage capacity, with the option to expand to six seats. Valo is designed to fly up to 100 miles at speeds of up to 150 mph with zero operating emissions. The company says Valo will be "significantly less expensive than similar transport," with an anticipated operating cost of around $2 per passenger mile.

  • Vertical Aerospace expects Valo to receive regulatory approval in 2028.
  • The company plans to bring Valo to New York City as part of an ambitious plan to introduce rapid, low-emission air travel across the region.

The players

Vertical Aerospace

An American autonomous driving company and is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company.

Bristow Group

A global provider of vertical flight solutions to government and civil organizations.

Skyports Infrastructure

A company that designs, builds, and operates vertiports for electric air taxis and drones.

Stuart Simpson

CEO of Vertical Aerospace.

Domhnal Slattery

Chair of Vertical Aerospace.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“With the launch of Valo, Vertical moves from prototype developer to aerospace manufacturer. Valo is the aircraft that turns electric flight into a commercial reality—clean, quiet, fast, and engineered for everyday service. It marks a new dawn in transport, one that will connect people in minutes, not hours.”

— Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace (Newsweek)

“Valo is bigger, safer, and more capable than anything currently available, marking a breakthrough for aviation. It is the product of precision engineering, a passenger-first design philosophy, and extensive collaboration with global aerospace partners, creating an aircraft with the most compelling operator economics.”

— Domhnal Slattery, Chair of Vertical Aerospace (Newsweek)

What’s next

Vertical Aerospace expects Valo to receive regulatory approval from the FAA in 2028, at which point the company plans to begin operating the electric air taxis in New York City and potentially expand to other markets across the U.S.

The takeaway

The development of electric air taxis like Valo represents a significant step forward in urban mobility, offering a sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional ground transportation and potentially revolutionizing how people travel within and between cities.