FutureFlight
Autonomous Flight Advances Larger Y6S Plus eVTOL Aircraft
The UK startup has launched a $25 million funding round to support its efforts to have a prototype flying by the end of 2023.
Autonomous Flight Y6S Plus
Autonomous Flight primarily intends its six-seat Y6S Plus eVTOL aircraft to operate scheduled passenger shuttle flights across major cities. (Image: Autonomous Flight)

Autonomous Flight is stepping up plans to start flight testing a full-scale prototype of a six-seat eVTOL aircraft by the end of 2023, having reworked its initial two-seat Y6S design to allow for a larger cabin. The UK-based startup has launched a funding round aimed at raising a further $25 million that it estimates will be needed to get the Y6S Plus into production.

The all-electric aircraft is intended for applications such as scheduled point-to-point shuttle services of up to around 30 or 40 minutes at speeds of up to 125 mph. Autonomous Flight founder Martin Warner anticipates networks of at least eight to 10 scheduled routes across major cities like London.