Updated Tuesday, December 19 at 10:15 a.m. EDT with additional information from Joby.
Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developer Joby Aviation believes 2026 will be the year its air taxi begins flying passengers.
Why Joby Thinks Passenger Air Taxi Service Will Lift Off in 2026
Developer recaps a year of flight testing ahead of planned type inspection authorization trials with the FAA in 2026.
Key Takeaways:
- Joby Aviation is targeting a 2026 launch for passenger service of its S4 eVTOL air taxi, planning integration with Blade Air Mobility and Uber, and partnering with Delta Air Lines for major U.S. cities.
- In 2025, Joby conducted extensive flight testing, completing over 850 flights and international demonstrations, and states its aircraft already meets FAA airworthiness standards ahead of 2026 TIA testing.
- Joby may conduct non-commercial passenger flights in the UAE before full FAA certification, using a "qualification program" to gather data and potentially apply it towards FAA type inspection authorization (TIA).
- Despite Joby's progress, industry analysts predict potential delays in the commercial launch of eVTOL air taxis, pushing entry into service projections to mid-to-late 2027 or later due to the slow advancement to TIA testing.
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