That hour-long crawl through New York traffic from JFK could turn in to a 7-minute flight.
Electric air taxis are now being tested in NYC and they are not just concept videos anymore. They have actually flown real routes across the city. Let’s get into the details.
All about the test flights
Joby Aviation just completed test flights between JFK Airport and Manhattan heliports. This is the same route that usually takes 45 minutes on the same day or even 1-2 hours on a very normal NYC day.
The test flights are a part of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOLs). These taxis take off vertically like a helicopter but fly more like a plane. They are fully electric and way quieter than traditional helicopters.
With these air transportation mode, no runway is needed. There are also no emissions during operation. Just lift off and go.
It’s not just a test for fun
This is part of a real push to build an air taxi network across New York.
The idea is to connect airports, link heliports across the city, and eventually make this a normal way to get around.
The Port Authority is already involved, which tells you this isn’t just startup hype.
However, there is still a gap between demo and reality. Test flights are one thing. Scaling this means regulations, infrastructure (vertiports need to be everywhere), pricing that normal people can afford, and public trust.
The cost might be a lot to start
Right now, getting from JFK to Midtown can run $150–$250 via ride-share. The exact cost will be determined by the time of day and traffic conditions.
However, it might become more affordable over time, as Joby Aviation’s CEO JoeBen Bevirt has said the goal is to make air taxis competitive with ground transport over time. Keyword: over time. So, don’t expect $20 flights anytime soon.
Source: Fox News