Lilium, a Munich-based startup founded in 2015, has captivated the imagination of the aviation and technology Press Coverage with its vision of revolutionizing regional air mobility through electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Its flagship, the Lilium Jet, designed to carry seven passengers over 300 kilometers at speeds of up to 280 km/h, promises a sustainable alternative to traditional air travel. Media outlets such as Aviation Week, Forbes, and Vertical Magazine have chronicled Lilium’s journey, from its early prototypes to test flights, strategic partnerships, and regulatory milestones.
Even as the company faced financial turmoil in 2025, including insolvency and revival efforts, press coverage has emphasized its technological breakthroughs and potential to shape the future of urban air mobility. This article explores Lilium’s key milestones through the lens of media narratives, detailing how journalism has amplified its successes, scrutinized its challenges, and speculated on its legacy as of October 2025.
Founding and Early Prototypes: Building Buzz (2015-2017)
A Vision for Regional Air Mobility
Lilium’s story began with a team of aerospace engineers from the Technical University of Munich, Daniel Wiegand, Sebastian Born, Patrick Nathen, and Matthias Meiner, who sought to redefine air travel. They aimed to create an all-electric jet for regional routes, bypassing urban congestion with quiet, emission-free flights. Unlike competitors focused on short urban hops, Lilium targeted longer trips, such as Munich to Zurich, using a unique distributed electric propulsion system with 36 ducted fans. This vision caught the attention of tech and aviation media, which portrayed Lilium as a trailblazer in sustainable aviation.
Prototype Unveil and Initial Hype
In 2017, unveiling the first two-seater Lilium Jet prototype sparked a wave of media excitement. Outlets like Forbes and TechCrunch highlighted the jet’s innovative design, which combined vertical takeoff with efficient forward flight, promising noise levels below 70 decibels, quieter than a typical conversation. Articles quoted Wiegand’s bold claim that Lilium could “make flying as accessible as taking a taxi.” The prototype’s debut, coupled with over €10 million in seed funding from investors like Atomico, fueled stories positioning Lilium as Europe’s answer to the green aviation movement.
Social media, particularly on X, amplified this narrative, with influencers calling it “the future of commuting.” However, some publications, such as The Verge, tempered the enthusiasm by questioning the readiness of battery technology for commercial scale, setting a tone of cautious optimism that would persist.
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Initial Flights and Technological Validation (2019-2020)
Unmanned Flight Tests
Lilium’s first unmanned flight tests in 2019 marked a significant milestone, drawing intense media scrutiny. Aviation Week and Revolution. Aero detailed the prototype’s ability to hover and transition to wing-borne flight, emphasizing the efficiency of its ducted fan system over that of its multicopter rivals. YouTube videos of the tests went viral, racking up millions of views, and were embedded in articles that speculated on commercial timelines. Forbes framed the achievement as “a leap toward urban skies,” highlighting partnerships with battery suppliers like Customcells to boost energy density. These reports underscored Lilium’s technical prowess, positioning it as a frontrunner in the eVTOL race.
Scaling Up Amid Challenges
By 2020, Lilium progressed to a five-seater prototype, navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Simple Flying covered the company’s shift to simulation-driven testing, showcasing resilience in remote development. The announcement of a SPAC merger with Qell Acquisition Corp., valuing Lilium at $3.3 billion, dominated headlines in Bloomberg and CNBC. The media portrayed the Nasdaq listing (LILM) as a pivotal funding boost, enabling the production scale-up. Analysts projected a $1 trillion urban air mobility market by 2040, with Lilium’s regional focus distinguishing it from competitors like Joby Aviation. While Wired raised concerns about regulatory hurdles, the overall narrative drove stock surges, illustrating the press’s influence on investor enthusiasm.
Partnerships and Regulatory Milestones (2021-2023)
Strategic Alliances with Industry Giants
Lilium’s partnerships with major players generated front-page news, reinforcing its commercial prospects. In 2021, the collaboration with Honeywell for avionics and fly-by-wire systems was celebrated in Business Air News as a vote of confidence from an aerospace titan. Articles detailed how this partnership enhanced safety and scalability, with journalists citing executives on certification pathways. The 2023 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lufthansa Group became a media sensation, with AviTrader and Reuters exploring plans for European operations, including pilot training and vertiport networks. Coverage framed Lufthansa’s involvement as a bridge between startups and legacy airlines, with X posts amplifying potential routes, such as Munich to Zurich.
Regulatory Progress and Global Expansion
A significant regulatory milestone came in late 2023 with EASA’s Design Organization Approval (DOA). Media outlets like Vertical Magazine and eVTOL Insights covered it as a critical step toward 2025 certification, emphasizing Europe’s rigorous standards. Podcasts featured Lilium’s CTO discussing the shift to a seven-seater conforming aircraft, with manned transition flights expanding the flight envelope.
International deals further fueled coverage, with Azul’s $1 billion order in Brazil and Saudia’s commitment for up to 100 jets making headlines in Al Arabiya and Reuters, highlighting the Middle Eastern ambitions. U.S. partnerships, such as Ferrovial’s vertiport development, were analyzed in AIN Online, with the media comparing Lilium’s global strategy to that of competitors like Archer. These stories blended excitement with pragmatic discussions of market penetration.
Production and Testing Advances (2024)
Manufacturing Milestones
In 2024, Lilium’s production ramp-up drew significant press attention. Airways Magazine covered the start of serial production, quoting shareholder letters that called it a “reality check” for eVTOL aspirations. The debut of a full-scale model at EBACE in May 2024 was a public highlight, with Vertical Magazine noting enthusiastic responses to the jet’s sleek design in Geneva. These events reinforced Lilium’s progress toward commercialization, with the media highlighting its manufacturing facility near Munich and plans to produce 500 jets annually.
Technical Breakthroughs
In August 2024, critical electrical power system tests were conducted, as reported by Runway Girl Network, to ensure safety through simulated failure modes. The October power-on milestone for MSN 1, the first production jet, was a significant achievement. Aviation Week, GlobeNewswire, and AIN Online described the activation of all systems, paving the way for ground tests and first flights. AeroTime projected six test aircraft by 2026 entry-into-service, while coverage of MSN 2’s assembly highlighted preparations for piloted flights.
The U.S. debut at Houston Hobby Airport in September drew attention to regional expansion, with Lilium’s announcements linking it to routes like Houston to Galveston. Forecast International analyzed these steps as aligning with FAA certification goals, amid broader discussions of AAM infrastructure.
Financial Challenges and Revival in 2025
Insolvency and Employee Backlash
Entering 2025, Lilium’s financial struggles dominated coverage. AOPA and Tech.eu reported in February on insolvency proceedings triggered by failed investments, with employee protests over unpaid wages making headlines. Vertical Flight Society newsletters noted ongoing program work despite the turmoil, reflecting Lilium’s determination to push forward. eVTOLmag detailed KPMG-led M&A processes in November 2024, signaling restructuring efforts to preserve milestones. These stories shifted the narrative from innovation to survival, with media highlighting the capital-intensive nature of eVTOL development.
Revival Efforts and New Opportunities
By mid-2025, revival narratives emerged. FlightGlobal and AIN Online covered Ambitious Air Mobility Group’s (AAMG) bid to acquire Lilium’s assets and IP for €250-750 million, with plans to pivot toward defense applications. Forbes reported a $200 million reprieve in December 2024, which enabled the resumption of certification. X posts in August and September 2025 speculated on potential partnerships, including with figures like Elon Musk, and ranked Lilium fourth among eVTOL manufacturers. September’s certified test flights garnered praise in EE Power for achieving 90% emission reductions, with their inclusion in the World Economic Forum’s 2025 emerging tech list reinforcing their relevance. Media coverage during this period highlighted Lilium’s resilience, portraying it as a phoenix rising from the ashes of financial hardship.
Media Analysis: Narratives, Impact, and Critiques
Shaping Public and Investor Sentiment
Press coverage has evolved from promotional to analytical, significantly shaping Lilium’s trajectory. Early TechCrunch articles fueled hype, driving funding rounds, while later Airport Technology pieces critiqued overambitious timelines and challenges with battery density. Social media on X mirrored this duality, with users celebrating milestones like the Saudia order while expressing skepticism during insolvency. The press’s role extended beyond reporting, influencing policy debates and investor confidence. Forbes editorials advocated for EU support to bolster Europe’s AAM sector, while critical analyses highlighted the risks of capital-intensive ventures.
Balancing Optimism and Realism
Media narratives have balanced Lilium’s potential with its challenges. While outlets like Aviation Week praised the ducted propulsion system, they also noted issues with high disc loading. Coverage of revival efforts highlighted the enduring value of Lilium’s IP, with speculation about its potential integration into defense or hybrid models. This balanced approach has kept Lilium relevant, even as competitors like Joby and Archer advance.
Competitive Landscape and Future Outlook
Lilium in the eVTOL Ecosystem
Lilium’s media narrative often contrasts it with competitors. Joby Aviation, backed by Toyota, and Archer, partnered with United Airlines, lead in certification progress, while EHang’s autonomous flights dominate in Asia. Europe’s Vertical Aerospace focuses on hybrid designs, avoiding the pitfalls of pure-electric vehicles. Press rankings place Lilium behind U.S. leaders but highlight its regional range advantage. The insolvency of compatriot Volocopter prompted media reflections on Europe’s AAM lag, with Lilium’s potential revival seen as a chance to reclaim ground.
Future Prospects
As AAMG negotiations continue into October 2025, media speculate on a 2026 commercial entry, emphasizing Lilium’s ducted propulsion legacy. Coverage suggests its technology could bolster acquirers, with applications in cargo or defense. The projected $28 billion AAM market by 2030 favors companies with pragmatic designs and deep funding, positioning Lilium’s IP as a valuable asset.
| Milestone | Key Press Outlet | Coverage Focus | Date |
| Prototype Unveil | Forbes | Design Innovation | 2017 |
| Uncrewed Flights | Aviation Week | Technical Validation | 2019 |
| SPAC Merger | Bloomberg | Funding Boost | 2021 |
| Lufthansa MoU | FlightGlobal | Airline Integration | 2023 |
| Power-On Test | AIN Online | Production Milestone | Oct 2024 |
| Insolvency & Revival | Tech.eu | Financial Resilience | Feb-Sep 2025 |
| Test Flights | EE Power | Emission Reductions | Sep 2025 |
Conclusion
Lilium’s milestones, amplified by a diverse media landscape, illustrate the promise and challenges of eVTOL innovation. From prototype unveils to revival bids, press coverage has educated stakeholders, inspired investment, and critiqued overambition. As Lilium navigates its next chapter, its story chronicled in outlets from Forbes to Aviation Week remains a testament to the enduring allure of sustainable aviation. Whether as a commercial player or a technological legacy, Lilium’s media narrative underscores the transformative potential of greener skies.
