Joby operates an electric air taxi service from JFK to Manhattan, completing the journey in seven minutes as it approaches FAA certification.

      **TL;DR** Joby Aviation has conducted the first point-to-point eVTOL demonstration flights in New York City, traveling from JFK to Midtown Manhattan heliports in seven minutes during a week-long initiative. Having received FAA Stage 4 approval, with a type certificate anticipated by late 2026, Joby stands as the leading Western eVTOL company, supported by firms like Toyota, Delta, and Uber. However, the viability of the $200 per-seat air taxi model at scale is still uncertain.

      The journey from John F. Kennedy International Airport to the East 34th Street Heliport in Midtown Manhattan took just seven minutes, whereas a car ride may take between 60 to 120 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Joby Aviation successfully landed its all-electric air taxi at the heliport on Friday, as part of a demonstration organized by VertiPorts by Atlantic, the heliport operator. The aircraft, identified as N545JX, had been navigating New York's heliport network throughout the week, landing at the Downtown Skyport, West 30th Street, and East 34th Street heliports after departing from JFK. These flights were demonstrations rather than commercial services, with no tickets sold. Nevertheless, the line between demonstration and operational service is increasingly blurred. In late March, Joby achieved Stage 4 of the FAA’s five-stage type certification process, with Stage 5 being the final conformity inspection and operational demonstration. If successful, which the company anticipates by late 2026, this will be the first type certificate issued for an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft in the U.S.

      **The aircraft**

      The Joby S4 is a tiltrotor aircraft equipped with six electric motors—four on the wings and two on the V-tail—providing it with helicopter-like vertical lift and the forward flight efficiency of a fixed-wing aircraft. It can carry one pilot and up to four passengers, cruising at about 200 miles per hour with a range of around 150 miles on a single charge. The propellers pivot from a vertical to a horizontal position post-takeoff, allowing for a seamless transition from hovering to cruising. A full recharge requires less than 20 minutes. With a maximum takeoff weight of 4,800 pounds, similar to a large SUV, and a wingspan of 39 feet, it fits comfortably on a standard helipad. According to Joby, it is 100 times quieter than a conventional helicopter at the same distance, a claim that New York's noise-sensitive neighborhoods will evaluate if commercial services commence.

      Fueled by $500 million from Toyota, which is also offering manufacturing expertise, Joby has developed the aircraft following a vertically integrated approach encompassing in-house development of electric motors, flight control software, and battery management systems. Joby has collaborated with Air Space Intelligence to establish air traffic management systems that will facilitate eVTOL flights throughout urban airspaces, a critical task when multiple aircraft operate simultaneously over a population of eight million.

      **The route**

      The New York demonstrations are part of Joby’s 2026 Electric Skies Tour, a national initiative celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States. The tour began in March with a flight over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, piloted by Andrea Pingitore, and arrived in New York in late April. Joby has not revealed which cities will be visited next. The demonstrated routes in New York, including JFK to Downtown Skyport, JFK to West 30th Street, and JFK to East 34th Street, outline the commercial network that Joby plans to operate. Through partnerships with Delta Air Lines and Uber, Joby aims to offer a comprehensive travel experience where passengers can book a trip via the Uber app, travel to the nearest vertiport, fly to the airport in minutes, and board a Delta flight, with a reverse process upon return.

      New York was named in March as one of eight projects under the federal eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, initiated under President Trump’s directive aimed at enhancing American drone capabilities. This program allows chosen projects to commence supervised operations during a three-year pilot period, circumventing the usual certification timeline for operational approvals. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, along with the New York City Economic Development Corporation, are partners. The existing heliport infrastructure, designed for helicopter use, requires minimal adjustments to accommodate eVTOL aircraft. While dedicated vertiport infrastructure is being developed in other cities, Joby’s approach in New York leverages the already established heliports, allowing it to start commercial operations without the delays of new construction.

      **The economics**

      Joby has not revealed official pricing, but the company has indicated a target of rates similar to Uber Black, which is approximately $3 to $6 per mile. A flight from JFK to Midtown, about 15 miles by air, would equate to around $200 per seat at the Uber Black rate,