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 2026 for the launch of its S4 eVTOL air taxi passenger service, planning integration with platforms like Uber and Blade, and partnering with Delta Air Lines for operations in major U.S. cities.
- The company completed extensive flight testing in 2025, with over 850 flights and public demonstrations in multiple countries, stating its aircraft already performs within FAA airworthiness standards ahead of Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) testing slated for 2026.
- Joby is exploring a "qualification program" in the UAE that could allow for non-commercial passenger flights before full FAA type certification, with the data potentially being credited towards FAA TIA.
- Despite Joby's goals, industry analysts forecast a later entry into service for eVTOLs, projecting mid-to-late 2027 or later, citing a slower pace of advancement to TIA testing across the industry.
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