June 11 - As part of its ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, American Airlines announced it will invest in Vertical Aerospace, a leading UK-headquartered engineering and aeronautical business developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. With the investment, American is demonstrating its focus on emerging technologies to reduce carbon emissions and investing in innovative ways that could improve the customer journey.

 

 

As part of its investment in Vertical, American has agreed to pre-order, subject to certain future agreed upon milestones and other terms, up to 250 aircraft, representing a potential pre-order commitment of $1 billion, and an option to order an additional 100 aircraft. The airline also expects to make a $25 million investment in Vertical through a private investment in public equity (PIPE) transaction. Vertical is developing the VA-X4, a zero-carbon aircraft that can carry four passengers and a pilot, and fly at speeds up to 200 mph over a range of over 100 miles.

 

These aircraft could potentially transport customers quickly around urban city centers and to airports. Vertical plans to conduct its first test flight of the VA-X4 later this year, with certification of the aircraft as early as 2024.

 

 

American’s partnership with Vertical is the latest in the airline’s commitment to sustainability.

 

The airline’s recent efforts include:

• Invested $24 billion since 2013 in 595 more fuel-efficient aircraft as part of the most extensive fleet renewal effort in the aviation industry’s history • Over the same period, American retired a similar number of less fuel-efficient planes, including retiring more than 150 older and less fuel-efficient aircraft in 2020 • Committed to purchase 9 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel over three years from Neste, a leading producer of renewable products • Engaged American’s customers in boosting demand for sustainable aviation fuel through agreements with Deloitte and Kuehne+Nagel • Invested in new technology to help American Airlines aircraft operate more efficiently

 

 

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