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Breaking Down Tesla’s Flying Roadster Debut

CEO Elon Musk says vehicle will be ‘actual car that’s on the roads’ but is ‘not sure it’s necessarily legal in all jurisdictions.’

Friday, October 16, 2026 at 03:00 PM ET

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Tesla unveiled a new Roadster with aerial capabilities, with production scheduled for 2028. [Credit: Tesla]

Key Takeaways:

Tesla unveiled its new Roadster, demonstrated as a "true flying car" capable of lift-off and aerial maneuvers using SpaceX thrusters, with production planned for 2028.
The vehicle's advanced design includes compressed air thrusters and an underside fan suction system for both flight and enhanced road performance.
Significant regulatory hurdles exist, as its "true flying car" capabilities pose challenges for FAA authorization and street legality, not fitting current powered-lift aircraft categories.
While other companies like Alef Aeronautics are pursuing similar "true flying cars," many developers are focused on eVTOL air taxis or winged drive-and-fly machines requiring dedicated launch sites.

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Tesla on Thursday unveiled its long-awaited new Roadster—and it can fly.

At SpaceX’s engine test and development facility in McGregor, Texas, CEO Elon Musk revealed what he billed as a true flying car—a street-legal vehicle capable of lifting off and taking to the skies. During the event, Tesla demonstrated how the vehicle uses SpaceX thrusters to get off the ground and softly land.

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.