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 has commenced historic electric air taxi test flights in New York City, demonstrating point-to-point eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) travel from JFK to Manhattan heliports.
These demonstrations are part of a broader initiative by the Port Authority of NY/NJ and the FAA's eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), which will expand test operations with multiple manufacturers across 26 states to integrate air taxis into the national airspace.
New York City is a key early market, actively preparing infrastructure like electrified vertiports and forging partnerships to launch commercial electric air taxi services aimed at significantly reducing urban commute times.

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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.