Joby Aviation's electric air taxi takes flight over San Francisco Bay

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Joby Aviation, a company developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, conducted a demonstration flight of its four-passenger air taxi over San Francisco Bay on Thursday. The small electric aircraft flew across the bay near the Golden Gate Bridge, reaching speeds of around 100 mph. The company aims to launch commercial air taxi services, potentially offering trips between San Francisco and nearby cities like Napa for $100 to $170 per ride.

Why it matters

Joby Aviation is one of several companies racing to bring eVTOL aircraft to market, with the goal of providing a new commuting option for urban areas by allowing passengers to bypass traffic. The successful demonstration flight brings Joby closer to launching commercial services, which could begin this year in some states before expanding to California.

The details

Joby's aircraft uses six propellers and is designed to be quieter than a helicopter. The company says the aircraft can fly about 1,000 feet above cities, allowing passengers to travel quickly between regional destinations. Joby was selected by the U.S. Department of Transportation to participate in a federal pilot program aimed at speeding up eVTOL deployment.

• On Thursday, March 12, 2026, Joby Aviation conducted a demonstration flight of its eVTOL aircraft over San Francisco Bay.

What’s next

Joby Aviation and other eVTOL companies are currently going through certification testing with federal regulators before launching commercial passenger service, which could begin in several states this year.