American Airlines Invests in Electric Air Taxi Company, Orders 250 Electric Aircraft

American Airlines announced it has made an approximately $1 billion investment in Vertical Aerospace and placed an order for up to 250 electric air taxis.

The carrier said it agreed to pre-order the 250 aircraft, with an option for an additional 100. In addition, American expects to make a separate $25 million investment in Vertical Aerospace through a private investment equity transaction.

Vertical Aerospace is a British engineering business headquartered in Bristol.  It builds zero carbon, vertical take-off and landing, or VTOL, electrically powered aircraft.

The company will provide American with the VA-X4, a zero-carbon plane that can fit four passengers and a pilot. The VA-X4 will be able to fly at speeds of up to 200 mph (321 km/h), with a range of up to 100 miles (160 kilometers).

Vertical Aerospace said that it plans to conduct the first test flights of the aircraft later this year.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)