Lilium

German eVTOL company Lilium has released test flight video of its stunning Phoenix 2 air taxi prototype making full transitions from vertical takeoff, to horizontal cruise flight, some turning maneuvers and a vertical landing – with full camera audio.

The prospect of a flying taxi service like that imagined by Lilium hinges on the ability of these aircraft to seamlessly transition from vertical to horizontal flight, and the startup has just demonstrated a key element of this functionality.

New render images and details have emerged on our favorite Chinese "I can't believe it's not Lilium" eVTOL air taxi project. The Pantuo Pantala Concept H, out of Shanghai, might look like the Lilium, but it promises to hit faster cruise speeds.

Lilium's eVTOL is vastly different to anything else in the air taxi world, using 36 small ducted fans in place of larger rotors. One of the key advantages, says Lilium, is the reduced noise signature – and now we get to hear it for the first time.

Lilium has become the latest eVTOL manufacturer to announce a significant provisional aircraft sale – this time, a 220-unit, billion-dollar deal with Azul in Brazil, which values the electric seven-seat Lilium Jets at around US$4 million apiece.

There's a billion-dollar elephant in the room; any startup that wants to bring an eVTOL air taxi into commercial service needs to structure its entire operation to meet the same aerospace standards Boeing does. Does anyone have the money?

Following the reveal of its impressive 7-seat eVTOL jet back in March, Lilium has announced that the flight control systems and avionics for the futuristic air taxi will be provided by aerospace firm Honeywell.

Lilium's sexy aircraft design, with its tiny ducted fans in place of larger open rotors, will use twice the power of other eVTOLs in vertical lift and hover. But there's some serious advantages too; we spoke to Lilium's co-founder and CTO to clarify.

Hundreds of eVTOL companies are jostling for position as next-gen flying taxis approach their prime-time debut – but which of these futuristic aircraft will really take off? Sergio Cecutta talks us through his "Advanced Air Mobility Reality Index."

Germany's Lilium has announced a 7-seat version of its gorgeous eVTOL air taxi, as well as plans to have a commercial operation up and running by 2024. Oh, and like approximately every other eVTOL company, it's headed to the NASDAQ through a SPAC.

After recently revealing plans to have a flying taxi station ready for action in Florida midway through the decade, Lilium has expanded on this vision, signing an agreement to build a network of at least 10 so-called vertiports across the state.

Lilium is one of a number of startups working to make flying taxis a reality, and is now offering folks a new look at its vision by divulging plans for its first “vertiport” planned for Orlando, Florida, in 2025.