UK-based Vertical Aerospace began developing its Vertical eVTOL aircraft in 2016. In 2017 a team of six engineers completed construction of the first full-scale proof of concept example and performed indoor tethered flight tests. In 2018, the UK Civil Aviation Authority gave permission to start outdoor test flights and the first was made in September of that year.

On August 22, 2019, the company achieved a first flight with a second prototype aircraft that it is using as a test bed for flight control systems that Honeywell Aerospace is providing.  On October 16, 2019, it issued a statement naming this prototype as the Seraph and confirming that it will be the precursor to a third, passenger-carrying, prototype that is due to join the flight test program in 2020. The Seraph is making test flights from Llanbedr airfield in north Wales. From 2020, flight testing is expected to be relocated from near the company's Bristol headquarters to Lampeter in rural Wales.

Vertical is working in partnership with civil engineering group Atkins to develop what it calls "a blueprint" for urban air mobility, including ground infrastructure and "the passenger experience."

In January 2020, Vertical said that its redesigned full-scale prototype will feature a wing and open rotors, which is being introduced to increase range ( to almost 100 miles) and speed (to around 150 mph). The company completed its preliminary design review in the first week of January and is aiming to achieve a first flight in 2021. Certification for the eVTOL aircraft under the Special Condition VTOL rules developed by the European Aviation Safety Agency is now projected for 2024. The new prototype will feature an improved version of the Honeywell flight control system and TE Connectivity has been selected to provide cabling. Work is also focusing on reducing weight through the powertrain. 

Also in January, Vertical launched a new round of fund-raising. Chief operating officer Michael Cervenka told FutureFlight that it will likely need a bit more than $100 million to complete type certification and more to begin series production. The fundraising campaign was subsequently suspended in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. In August, the company said it had restarted the campaign and is looking to raise around $40 million.

On August 26, 2020, Vertical Aerospace disclosed details of its new VA-1X prototype, which will offer significantly more range than the earlier Seraph technology demonstrator. The new design features a fixed-wing and tiltrotors and is expected to fly up to 100 miles at speeds of 150 mph. 

The all-electric prototype is expected to make a first flight in 2021 and enter service in 2024. It will carry four passengers and a pilot. The propulsion system will be based on lithium-ion batteries.

The company confirmed that Honeywell will provide fly-by-wire flight controls and control laws. TE Connectivity is providing electrical cabling and connectors for Vertical Aerospace. Other systems suppliers have been selected but had yet to be disclosed, as of August 2020.