Both airlines have announced that they are working with Bristol-based Vertical Aerospace on an eVTOL – electric vertical, take-off, and landing – vehicle. It is hoped that Virgin’s version of the craft – the VA-X4 - will fly short-haul journeys throughout the UK – slashing travel time by two-thirds. Virgin has options to purchase one hundred and fifty VA-X4s.
Each aircraft will be able to carry up to four passengers and enjoy a range of 160 kilometres. Instead of using jet fuel, each aircraft will be fully electric and just need charging points at its departure and arrival platforms. Being eVTOL, there will be no need for runways, just landing and take-off pads like those used by helicopters. The price of each seat will be less than a helicopter but more than a car taxi service. Each VA-X4 will be able to fly around 300 kilometres per hour and be “almost silent” during flight.
"With 37 towns and cities with populations over 100,000 within 100 miles of London Heathrow Airport, the VA-X4 offers huge potential to support zero emissions short haul transfers for 7.7 million customers outside of London," Virgin Atlantic said in a statement.
With investment from the likes of Microsoft and Rocket Internet and partnerships with engine-maker Rolls-Royce and tech-giant Honeywell, Vertical is expecting to conduct test flights later this year.
"This is the most exciting time in aviation for almost a century," Vertical Aerospace CEO and co-founder Stephen Fitzpatrick said in a statement. "Electrification will transform flying in the 21st century in the same way the jet engine did 70 years ago," he added.
Over the past few weeks, we have seen a slew of announcement from airlines, aircraft manufacturers and aviation start-ups as they prepare the industry for a greener future.
American Airlines is planning to offer a Vertical Aerospace eVTOL service of its own in the USA.
"Emerging technologies are critical in the race to reduce carbon emissions and we are excited to partner with Vertical to develop the next generation of electric aircraft," said Derek Kerr, the chief financial officer of AA.
