Joby Kicks Off NYC Electric Air Taxi Demos With Historic JFK Flight

More trials will come to New York and 25 other states in the coming months.

Jack Daleo

Monday, April 27, 2026 at 04:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Joby Aviation’s production prototype electric air taxi, N545JX, sits on the tarmac at Modern Aviation JFK ahead of a historic demonstration flight on Monday. [Credit: Jack Daleo]

Key Takeaways:

Joby Aviation successfully conducted the first electric air taxi (eVTOL) flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Manhattan heliports, simulating future commercial urban air mobility services.
These flights are part of a broader initiative by the Port Authority of NY & NJ and the FAA's eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) to test and integrate electric air taxis from various manufacturers across 26 states.
The goal is to establish routine electric air taxi services in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Miami, aiming to drastically reduce commute times and develop necessary infrastructure such as electrified vertiports.

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New Yorkers this week are getting a glimpse of the future of aviation, as electric air taxis soar across the city’s network of airports and heliports for the first time.

After conducting a handful of test flights over the weekend, a Joby Aviation production prototype eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft lifted off Monday from John F. Kennedy International (KJFK), marking the first time an electric air taxi has departed one of New York City’s three major airports.