The future of air taxis is taking shape—not in one place, but on both sides of the Atlantic. Two futuristic flying machines, Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 and Archer Aviation’s Midnight, are making headlines with their sleek designs and bold promises.
At first glance, they look almost identical. But under the skin, key differences in strategy, funding, and technology set them apart. So, which one will fly higher, sooner, and smarter?
Why Everyone’s Comparing VX4 and Midnight
- Capacity: Both carry four passengers + one pilot (~450 kg payload)
- Speed: Cruise at ~150 mph
- Design: V-tail + tilt-and-lift propellers
- Noise reduction: Five-bladed, scimitar-shaped tilt rotors
From a distance, you might think they were cut from the same blueprint.
Timeline Snapshot
- June 2021: Vertical unveils the VX4
- Nov 2022: Archer debuts the Midnight after proving its tech with the two-seat Maker
Both designs also borrow DNA from early eVTOL pioneers like Joby’s S2 (2014) and Wisk’s Cora (2018).
Side-by-Side: Specs That Matter
| Feature | Archer Midnight | Vertical VX4 |
|---|---|---|
| Rotor Count | 12 (6 tilt + 6 lift-only) | 8 (all tilt) |
| Propeller Size | 1.9 m | 2.9 m |
| MTOW | 3,175 kg | 2,948 kg |
| Disc Loading | Higher → needs ~608 kW at takeoff | Lower → needs ~437 kW at takeoff |
| Range | ~100 miles (optimized for 20–50 mile hops) | ~100 miles now, hybrid version planned for 1,000 miles |
| Focus | Urban mobility | Intercity missions |
🛫 Performance in the Real World
- Archer Midnight
Completed a 55-mile piloted flight
Operational factory already producing aircraft
Multiple FAA certifications (Part 135, 145, 141, 142)
Scaling goal: 650 aircraft/year by 2026 - Vertical VX4
Completed a 17-mile piloted flight (May 2025)
Faced an early prototype crash during tethered testing (since redesigned)
Production-readiness: 2030
Money & Partnerships
Shared suppliers:
- Honeywell (avionics)
- GKN Aerospace (airframes)
- Molicel (batteries, including next-gen silicon-anode cells)
Funding gap:
- Archer: $2.7 billion raised
- Vertical Aerospace: $400–500 million raised
Innovation Spotlight
Both companies are building impressive patent portfolios. One clever VX4 patent places motor heat exchangers directly in rotor airflow, cutting the need for heavy cooling systems.
The Verdict
In the short game → Archer Midnight leads.
- It’s flying farther, building aircraft, and racking up certifications.
In the long game → Vertical VX4 may have the edge.
- With lighter, more efficient design and hybrid-ready plans, it’s betting on scalability beyond short city hops.
Bottom line: Midnight is winning today. VX4 might win tomorrow.