Five eVTOLs, No Pilots: AutoFlight Flies a 47-Minute Autonomous Formation in China

Photo: AutoFlight's five-eVTOL formation flight. Image: AutoFlight, from its press release.

Chinese eVTOL maker AutoFlight says it has completed the world's first autonomous formation flight of five eVTOL aircraft across two weight classes. The flights took place on October 31 and November 1, 2026 at AutoFlight's Bailian Lake Flight Test Base in Kunshan, near Shanghai, and were announced on November 5.

What happened

Guests also visited Sunship, AutoFlight's water-based vertiport on Dianshan Lake.

Why a formation flight matters

Flying one eVTOL is a test. Flying five at once, of different sizes, without anyone at the controls, is a step toward the busy low-altitude networks China is planning. Future air taxi and cargo routes will need many aircraft sharing the same airspace safely, and keeping their distance automatically, even in wind. AutoFlight says the demonstration points toward networks for long-haul, regional and last-mile routes.

What it does not mean yet

• No passengers were on board. The aircraft flown were cargo and firefighting models plus the larger V5000 Matrix demonstrator.
• No certification news. AutoFlight's announcement does not mention new approvals for these aircraft.
• The figures come from AutoFlight. They have been reported by industry media but not independently verified.

Want to fly an eVTOL in China?

China has already approved its first passenger eVTOL operators. We arrange eVTOL experiences with the operators who fly them, starting in Shenzhen. See eVTOL experiences or contact us and we will tell you honestly what can be booked today. For the bigger picture, read Is any eVTOL certified yet?

We are not the operator. We are the team that gets you there.

Sources: AutoFlight press release via PR Newswire, Nov 5, 2026 · Urban Air Mobility News, Nov 5, 2026 · AIN FutureFlight, Nov 5, 2026