On April 27, 2026, Joby Aviation’s first full-scale air taxi flight took place in New York City, traveling from JFK to Manhattan, including two key helicopter hubs: Downtown Skyport and West 30th Street Heliport.
The aircraft completed the journey, which typically takes 1-2 hours by car, in approximately 13 minutes. Not only was this fast, but it was also noticeably quieter than a conventional helicopter. As a reminder, noise remains one of the main reasons why the widespread development of helicopter transportation within the city has always been so controversial.
Flight details and route information can be found on flightradar24.com.
Joby Aviation is an American company based in the surf town of Santa Cruz, California, that is developing next-generation electric air taxis.
The idea is to create a versatile urban transport system with electric motors, similar to those found in large drones, and vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology. The aircraft takes off vertically, like a helicopter, and then transitions to horizontal flight using its wings, reaching speeds of up to 200 mph (approximately 320 km/h). On board are a pilot and four passengers, without the traditional helicopter noise or direct emissions.
Joby expects to launch commercial passenger flights in the second half of 2026, including between the region’s largest airports — JFK, Newark (EWR), and Manhattan.
