Executive at Joby Aviation on what to expect from the company’s air taxi service.
The latest format of public transport reflects what it’s like to order an Uber, but there are some important differences. The driver is a pilot and the transport method is an electric vertical takeoff and landing (EVTOL) aircraft.
Joby Aviation is working with Delta Air Lines and Uber to develop electric flight taxis that will ultimately be accessible to the public daily and provide an alternative to traditional ground transport. Since 2017, the company has flew over 30,000 miles on its full-scale prototype EVTOL aircraft and plans to begin transporting passengers in the near future. The goal is to make the service affordable, and the cost is comparable to Uber rides.
Eric Allison, Chief Product Officer at Joby, told Fox Business that US operations are expected over the years this year, and that US operations are expected to begin transporting passengers in Dubai this year, waiting for the completion of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification process. The company successfully conducted a display flight in New York City in November 2023 and has completed three of the five FAA certification procedures as of March 2025.
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Alison said the company is not only building components for the aircraft, including the aircraft’s battery packs, computers and carbon fiber structures, but also building services that the company can deploy and “put into the hands of consumers.”
Joby Aviation will test a full-fledged prototype EVTOL aircraft in New York City in 2023. (Joby Aviation)
It’s similar to opening an app on a phone.
Allison said users can request a ride through any of the Joby apps currently under development, or via the Uber app. In late 2020, Joby increased its investments in Uber’s Air Taxi Division, Elevate and Uber from $50 million to $125 million. The company agreed to integrate services, allowing Joby to leverage Uber’s demand tally to deliver a seamless, multimodal journey.
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Once the user chooses to ride, the car will get them and take them to the nearest takeoff location. Once they land, the car is waiting for them to drive to their destination, Alison said.
Joby Aviation will test a full-fledged prototype EVTOL aircraft in New York City in 2023. (Joby Aviation)
Joby’s software tracks demand and automatically fills available seats based on it, pointing passengers towards the nearest takeoff spot. Ultimately, the company plans to expand its infrastructure beyond the heliport and explore locations such as parking, parking and even rooftops of buildings. This allows the company to approach the user’s destination and reduce the need for car travel.
“In the end, we want to take off and land as close as possible where you need it,” Allison said.
Joby’s electric aviation taxi design, minimal noise impact and lack of engine smoke make it easier to build infrastructure, especially in densely populated areas.
According to Joby, NASA measured the aircraft’s sound in 2022, registering just 45.2 dB at 1,640 feet. This is quieter than a typical conversation.
Joby Aviation will test a full-fledged prototype EVTOL aircraft in New York City in 2023. (Joby Aviation)
The aircraft can only fly up to 100 miles on a single charge, but Allison said this is ideal for shorter trips.
For example, Allison said the aircraft could fly from Manhattan to John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens in just seven minutes. The same commute by car takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on the traffic.
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“That’s the vision of what we’re building,” he said.
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Another important advantage of these electric aircraft is its low operating costs. This makes it affordable for riders. Initially, Allison predicts that as the network grows, it will be similar to the cost of Uber Black Ride in the US. He believes the price will drop to the level of Uber X and will be accessible to a larger audience.
“We think it’s actually achievable and that’s where more people can now start to participate in it,” Alison said.
