The race to develop electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is accelerating across Europe. While the United States and Asia have produced leaders like Joby Aviation, Archer, and EHang, Europe’s spotlight has often focused on two pioneers: Lilium Jet from Germany and Vertical Aerospace VX4 from the United Kingdom. These aircraft are more than futuristic concepts—they represent different visions of how we may soon travel between cities and across congested urban regions.
The Lilium Jet drew global attention with its futuristic ducted fan design and bold plans for intercity routes. By contrast, the Vertical VX4 adopted a more conventional fixed-wing layout, prioritizing scalability, safety, and partnerships with major airlines. Both designs showcase European innovation, yet their trajectories have diverged dramatically. One company has struggled with insolvency while the other is moving steadily toward certification and commercial launch.
This article compares the Lilium Jet vs Vertical VX4 across design, performance, certification, and market outlook. For aviation enthusiasts and industry professionals, the story illustrates how different strategies can define the future of flight.
What Are eVTOLs and Why Do They Matter?
eVTOLs are aircraft powered entirely by electricity, capable of taking off and landing vertically like a helicopter while offering the speed and efficiency of fixed-wing planes. Their potential lies in reducing congestion, lowering emissions, and transforming short-haul travel with faster connections between cities, suburbs, and airports. Analysts predict the global eVTOL market could surpass $57 billion by 2035 (Reuters).
For more on the technologies shaping next-generation aviation, see our Experimental & Future Aircraft section.
Lilium Jet: Ambition Meets Challenges
Founded in Munich in 2015, Lilium Jet made headlines with its radical engineering choice: 36 ducted electric fans integrated into tilting flaps. This gave the aircraft a sleek jet-like appearance, lower noise compared to open propellers, and potential aerodynamic advantages. Lilium envisioned its aircraft not just for city hops but for regional connectivity, such as flights between Paris and Brussels or Munich and Frankfurt.
The production version was planned as a 7-seater (6 passengers plus a pilot), with a range of 155 miles (250 km) and a cruise speed of 175 mph (280 km/h). The promise was compelling: quiet, zero-emission, high-capacity travel linking European cities. However, the ambitious design also presented significant engineering and financial hurdles.
Despite raising over $1 billion and securing pre-orders—including a deal with Saudia Airlines for 100 units—Lilium faced mounting financial strain. In February 2025, the company filed for insolvency, laying off about 1,000 employees (FlyingMag). The shutdown shocked the industry, though reports suggest Lilium could be revived through restructuring and investor interest (EVTOL Insights).
For context on other aviation companies that faced turbulence, explore our Aviation History section.
Vertical Aerospace VX4: The British Challenger
Founded in Bristol in 2016, Vertical Aerospace took a more incremental and pragmatic approach. Its flagship VX4 relies on a fixed-wing design with eight propellers. Four tilting front propellers handle vertical lift and horizontal thrust, while four rear propellers assist with lift. This design balances efficiency with simplicity, avoiding the complex ducted fan system used by Lilium.
The VX4 is built for short urban and intercity flights, carrying four passengers plus a pilot. With a range of 100 miles (160 km) and a top speed of 150 mph (240 km/h), it is optimized for trips such as city-center to airport transfers or regional commuting. Noise reduction is a major selling point; the VX4 is significantly quieter than helicopters, making it more suitable for urban environments.
Unlike Lilium, Vertical Aerospace has strong financial and strategic backing. Partners include Honeywell, Rolls-Royce, and American Airlines, which placed a pre-order for up to 250 aircraft. In 2025, the VX4 completed a landmark cross-country flight in the UK (The Times). Certification with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is targeted for 2028, with commercial operations projected to begin by 2030.
More details on the business side of aviation are available in our Commercial Aircraft section.
Technical Comparison: Lilium Jet vs Vertical VX4
When comparing the two, several differences stand out.
- Propulsion: Lilium relies on 36 ducted fans, a complex but innovative solution. Vertical uses eight open propellers, a simpler system with fewer moving parts.
- Passenger Capacity: Lilium aimed for six passengers plus a pilot, while the VX4 carries four plus a pilot.
- Range and Speed: Lilium projected 155 miles and 175 mph, giving it greater reach than Vertical’s 100 miles and 150 mph.
- Noise and Safety: Both promised quiet operations, though Vertical’s propeller setup is easier to certify.
- Status: Lilium halted operations in 2025, while Vertical continues testing and advancing toward certification.
Certification Challenges in Europe
Both aircraft illustrate the hurdles of certifying a new category of aviation technology in Europe. Lilium faced difficulties with EASA’s Special Condition for VTOL, particularly around battery density, redundancy, and safety compliance. Vertical Aerospace, meanwhile, is progressing with both the UK CAA and EASA frameworks, leveraging its partnerships with Honeywell and Rolls-Royce to navigate the process.
For a closer look at how regulations shape aviation, visit our Aviation Regulations insights.
Market Outlook and Business Strategy
Lilium targeted premium intercity connections between major hubs, positioning itself as a faster, greener alternative to regional jets and trains. However, its collapse leaves a question mark over whether the concept was too ambitious.
Vertical Aerospace is positioning the VX4 as an urban air taxi, focusing on routes between airports and city centers. With airlines like American Airlines and Virgin Atlantic on board, its strategy emphasizes scalability and early adoption in key global markets such as London, New York, and Dubai.
Noise and Sustainability
Noise is critical for public acceptance of eVTOLs. Lilium’s ducted fans were designed for jet-like quietness, while Vertical’s distributed propulsion system minimizes disturbance in dense urban areas. Both rely on lithium-ion batteries, offering zero-emission flights. Future innovations could include hybrid solutions with sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) or hydrogen. For more on this, read our feature on Sustainable Engine Technologies.
Which One Is Winning?
In terms of innovation, Lilium was unmatched, with its ambitious vision and futuristic design. But in terms of practicality, certification prospects, and financial stability, Vertical VX4 is now the frontrunner. With established partners, successful test flights, and a clear certification path, Vertical is far closer to bringing its aircraft to market.
Conclusion: A Tale of Two Strategies
The comparison between Lilium Jet vs Vertical VX4 highlights Europe’s two paths in the eVTOL revolution. Lilium embodied bold innovation but stumbled under financial and technical pressures. Vertical Aerospace represents a pragmatic approach, moving steadily toward certification with strong industry partnerships. While Lilium’s future remains uncertain, the VX4 looks set to become the face of European eVTOL aviation.
For readers interested in following this transformative industry, explore more at Experimental & Future Aircraft, Commercial Aircraft, Military Aircraft, Training, and Travel. Stay with Aviation Titans for expert insights, news, and analysis shaping the future of flight.
