Joby Aviation has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first air taxi service to fly between two public US airports. The company’s electric aircraft completed a 12-minute test flight from Marina, California, to Monterey, covering a distance of 11.5 miles.
The successful flight demonstrates Joby’s readiness for commercial service and marks an important step in transforming commuting. The aircraft spent five minutes in a holding pattern while waiting for an airliner to arrive at the destination airport.
Joby’s eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle features six propellers that tilt depending on its flight mode. While it is not the first eVTOL to operate between public airports, Joby’s achievement is significant due to its use of controlled airspace.
The air taxi industry aims to reduce commuting times and costs, with Joby’s service potentially offering a 70-minute reduction in travel time from New York City to JFK Airport compared to driving. The company has partnered with major airlines such as Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic to launch air taxi services.
However, eVTOLs face technical challenges, including noise regulations and limited passenger capacity due to energy constraints. Industry players have estimated the cost of a single seat on an air taxi service to be comparable to that of a premium Uber ride.
Joby plans to begin flight testing with FAA-certified pilots early next year and will first operate in Los Angeles and New York before expanding to other cities, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/joby-flying-taxi-first-test-flight-us-airports-2025-8