The real-life Jetsons! Two-seater flying car is set to launch in China next summer - but it costs £225,000

If you've ever dreamed of skipping over traffic and taking your commute to the skies, that fantasy could soon become a reality.Aridge, a spin-off of the Chinese EV-maker XPeng, is set to launch the first two-seater flying car in China next summer.Like a real-life version of The Jetsons, this tiny vehicle can soar through the sky at altitudes up to 0.6 miles (1km) with a flight range of 18.6 miles (30km).Unlike a standard flying car, the so-called Land Aircraft Carrier combines a six-wheeled transit-van-sized vehicle with a small electric helicopter stored in the boot.The ground vehicle can automatically open the rear doors and deploy the flying module, which is about the size of a small car, in less than five minutes.The cockpit itself is then lifted by six battery-powered drone-style propellers that fold away neatly for storage and transport.However, this doesn't come cheap, with the modular flying car expected to cost £225,000 ($300,000). Aridge, a spin-off of the Chinese EV-maker XPeng, is set to launch the first two-seater flying car (pictured) in China next summer Like a real-life version of The Jetsons, this tiny vehicle can soar through the sky at altitudes up to 0.6 miles (1km) with a flight range of 18.6 miles (30km)Deli Zhao, chief executive of XPeng, revealed the modular flying car at the Web Summit tech conference in Lisbon, Spain. Aridge Land Aircraft Carrier: Key specs Capacity: 2 peoplePrice: $300,000 (£225,000)Materials: Main structure and rotor blades are made from carbon fiber, 270° panoramic cockpit is made from polycarbonate glassControls: Single-lever control system Mothership: 6x6 Carrier Altitude: Up to 0.6 miles (1km)Range: 18.6 miles (30km) Mr Zhao told crowds that the vehicle would be ready for use by recreational pilots in rural locations and by the Chinese emergency services by the second half of 2027, as reported by The Guardian.He told spectators at the event: 'The world where everyone can be a captain is about to arrive.'This comes after a decade of development and testing at the company's Guangzhou headquarters, eventually leading to approval from China's civil aviation authorities for limited use.The flying component of the Land Aircraft Carrier can be controlled by a programmable autopilot that can fly to a target destination before landing.However, the aircraft can also be driven with a single joystick that the company claims allows you to 'fly with one hand'. The flying component of the Land Aircraft Carrier can be controlled by a programmable autopilot that can fly to a target destination before landing The aircraft can also be driven with a single joystick that the company claims allows you to 'fly with one hand'Mr Zhao, himself a qualified pilot, says that he could teach anyone to fly the drone-like vehicle in just five minutes.The CEO added that no one had been injured or hurt while testing the vehicle, adding that the initial audience was intended to be people who are interested in 'diving, surfing, off-roading and flying'.Unfortunately, anyone hoping to make their daily commute by air might have to wait a little while longer.Currently, the flying vehicle is only permitted for use inside approved park areas in China, and for emergency services teams who need to reach inaccessible regions.Likewise, the company has made agreements with the United Arab Emirates and countries in south-east Asia to expand the flying car's use, but it isn't clear when it will become available outside of China.'We aim to enter the European market as soon as possible,' Mr Zhao added. Currently, the flying vehicle is only permitted for use inside approved park areas in China, and for emergency services teams who need to reach inaccessible regions Like a real-life version of The Jetsons (pictured), this tiny vehicle can soar through the sky at altitudes up to 0.6 miles (1km) with a flight range of 18.6 miles (30km)However, in the future the company hopes that personal flying vehicles may become much more common.This development comes against the background of massive investment in China's so-called 'low-altitude economy'.China is already home to the world's biggest drone maker, DJI, and had 3.3 million registered civilian drones by the end of 2025, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).The CAAC now estimates that this industry was worth $211billion (£158.5billion) in 2025, and could reach $524.7billion (£394.1billion) by 2035.This has been accompanied by a massive push to develop flying cars and flying taxis, with multiple companies trying to bring their own designs to market.Mr Zhao says: 'All cars in the future will grow wings and all transportation will move from two dimensions to three dimensions.'