Joby Aviation Flies Electric Air Taxi Over New York City for the First Time

American air taxi developer Joby Aviation has conducted demonstration flights of its electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft over New York City for the first time. The test flights are intended to pave the way for commercial scheduled service between Manhattan and JFK Airport. An exact launch date has not yet been officially confirmed, but the company says it is in the final phase of FAA certification.

Joby has been listed on the stock exchange since 2020 and is among the world’s leading manufacturers of air taxis. The company’s current valuation stands at $8.5 billion, even though it has lost nearly 40 percent since the beginning of the year.

The Aircraft and Planned Routes

Joby is using the S4 model, a battery-powered eVTOL aircraft capable of carrying one pilot and four passengers. During the test flights, the aircraft departed from JFK Airport and landed at various heliports throughout the city, including the Downtown Skyport as well as the landing pads at West 30th Street and East 34th Street in Midtown Manhattan. These locations correspond to the planned commercial routes on which Joby intends to connect Lower Manhattan and Midtown to JFK in under ten minutes. For comparison, the same journey currently takes between 60 and 120 minutes by car.

Background: Acquisition of Blade and Partnerships

To establish a foothold in New York, Joby acquired the passenger business of Blade Air Mobility in 2025, which already offers helicopter flights for travelers between Manhattan and New York’s airports. Blade transported more than 90,000 passengers in 2025, providing an existing customer base and infrastructure on which Joby can build. In addition, partnerships with Delta Air Lines and Uber have been established to create a seamless travel experience connecting ground and air transport.

Financially, Joby is supported in part by a $500 million investment from Toyota. Pilot production of the S4 is already underway in Marina, California.

Authorities and Government Support

The test flights were conducted as part of the White House-initiated eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), which is designed to accelerate the commercial introduction of air taxis in the United States. New York City was announced as one of the program’s selected locations in March 2026. Joby is involved in five of the selected projects, spanning twelve states.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey participated as a partner in carrying out the demonstration flights. The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) is working together with Skyports Infrastructure and Vertiports by Atlantic to upgrade the city’s existing heliport infrastructure for eVTOL charging technology.

“New York has always been a city that defines the future by demanding better. This week, we showed what the eIPP program makes possible and gave New York a glimpse of what is to come.”

These were the words of JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby, on the occasion of the demonstration flights.

Certification and Outlook for Regular Operations

Joby has not yet announced a specific start date for commercial operations in New York. According to the company, it is currently in the final phase of FAA certification. Most recently, Joby completed the maiden flight of its first conforming aircraft for the so-called Type Inspection Authorization (TIA), which is intended to allow FAA pilots to conduct creditable test flights. The aircraft may only be used in commercial passenger service once certification has been completed.

The current demonstration flights in New York are part of Joby’s “2026 Electric Skies Tour,” a national showcase series marking the 250th anniversary of the United States. The company had previously conducted flights in the San Francisco Bay Area, including a flight over the Golden Gate Bridge.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Aircraft type: Joby S4, eVTOL, 1 pilot and 4 passengers
• Planned flight time from JFK to Manhattan: under 10 minutes
• Routes tested: JFK to Downtown Skyport, West 30th Street, and East 34th Street Heliport
• Certification status: Final phase of FAA certification
• Key partners: Delta Air Lines, Uber, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, NYCEDC
• Investors: Toyota ($500 million)
• Subsidiary: Blade Air Mobility (since 2025)