Electric air taxis could cut travel time between JFK and Manhattan to just minutes, as Joby Aviation advances real-world testing in New York’s urban airspace.
Electric air taxi New York, first real-world tests above Manhattan
Flying cars over New York may sound like science fiction, but it is quickly becoming reality. The city, long defined by its ambition and global influence, is now positioning itself alongside Chinese megacities and Dubai in the race for urban air mobility.
In recent days, Joby Aviation Inc., backed by Toyota Motor Corp., has begun a new phase of flight testing between Manhattan’s skyscrapers, marking a critical step toward commercial deployment.
From JFK to Manhattan in 10 minutes
The aircraft are electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles, known as eVTOLs, a hybrid between helicopters and airplanes designed for short urban routes.
Joby completed a test flight connecting John F. Kennedy International Airport and Manhattan, landing at the Downtown Skyport and heliports along West 30th Street and East 34th Street. Total flight time: just 10 minutes.
Toyota has invested $894 million in the startup, supporting both production and electrification technology. In the coming days, the company is expected to run additional pilot-only test flights along existing helicopter corridors across New York.
This campaign represents the first tangible demonstration of how electric air taxis, quiet and with zero operational emissions, could connect airports, vertiports, and urban communities across the metropolitan area.
Joby aims to launch passenger services in New York, Texas, and other states in the second half of 2026. As CEO JoeBen Bevirt stated, New York “defines the future by demanding the best,” positioning the city as a launchpad for next-generation mobility.
A strategy built on efficiency and partnerships
A key pillar of Joby’s expansion strategy is its 2025 acquisition of the passenger division of Blade Air Mobility. With Blade’s operational expertise and infrastructure network, which served over 90,000 passengers in 2025, Joby gains a ready-made foundation to scale its electric air taxi services.
The goal is straightforward: turn one of the city’s longest commutes into one of its fastest. Through partnerships with Delta Air Lines and Uber, Joby is building an integrated travel experience that connects ground and air transport into a seamless journey.
In a city where the average commuter lost around 102 hours in traffic in 2025, the company aims to dramatically reduce travel time, cutting a 60 to 120-minute car trip to JFK down to just a few minutes in the air.
How the electric air taxi works
Joby’s aircraft are based on Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP), replacing the single rotor of a helicopter with six independent electric motors mounted on wings and tail. This architecture increases redundancy and reduces maintenance thanks to fewer moving parts.
The aircraft uses a tilt-rotor configuration, allowing vertical takeoff like a helicopter before rotating the propellers 90 degrees for forward flight, reaching speeds above 320 km/h.
Noise levels drop to just 45 decibels during flight, making the aircraft nearly imperceptible in urban environments. This is achieved by operating the blades at lower rotational speeds.
The energy system relies on high-density battery packs derived from the automotive sector but optimized for aviation, capable of recharging in under 10 minutes between flights. Control is managed through a unified fly-by-wire system, simplifying operations and significantly improving safety compared to traditional aircraft.
