Electric aircraft achieves world's first piloted airport-to-airport flight

Vertical Aerospace has achieved a historic milestone by completing the world’s first piloted airport-to-airport flight in a full-scale, winged tilt-rotor electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed for commercial use. On July 16, 2025, the VX4 prototype flew 17 miles from Cotswold Airport to RAF Fairford, reaching speeds of 115 mph and an altitude of 1,800 feet. This flight, approved by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, demonstrated the VX4’s ability to integrate with real-world airport operations and marked its first public landing, witnessed by thousands. Following the flight, the VX4 was displayed at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), the world’s largest military air show, where Vertical Aerospace was the sole electric aircraft exhibitor. Vertical Aerospace is positioning the VX4 not only for commercial urban air mobility but also as a versatile platform for defence, logistics, and special missions, emphasizing its quieter, cleaner operation