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 initiated the first electric air taxi (eVTOL) test flights from a major New York City airport (JFK) to Manhattan heliports, demonstrating future urban air mobility services.
These demonstrations are part of a broader FAA-backed eVTOL Integration Pilot Program across 26 states, with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) actively preparing infrastructure and hosting flights from multiple manufacturers.
The initiative aims to significantly reduce travel times between airports and city centers, positioning New York City as a primary market for routine electric air taxi operations with electrified heliports and future vertiports.

See a mistake? Contact us.

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.