Joby Aviation has begun a series of demonstration flights with its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft between John F. Kennedy International Airport and Manhattan heliports. The campaign, running for 10 days, marks New York Citys first point-to-point eVTOL flights in FAA-controlled airspace.
On Monday, a Joby production prototype (N545JX) departed JFK and completed a 20-mile route to the West 30th Street Heliport in about 15 minutes, with plans for a shorter 9-mile path pending FAA approval. Additional flights will connect to the East 34th Street Heliport and Downtown Skyport, all sites being prepared for future electric air taxi operations. The aircraft, designed for one pilot and up to four passengers plus carry-on bags, cruises at 200 mph and features fly-by-wire controls, panoramic windows, charging stations, and redundancy allowing flight with up to two motors out.
Joby President of Aircraft OEM Didier Papadopoulos described the flights as a real-life simulation of planned end-to-end service. CEO JoeBen Bevirt noted the aircrafts quiet operation and zero operating emissions compared to helicopters. The demonstrations are part of the FAAs eVTOL Integration Pilot Program to support commercial integration.
Joby, based in California, has flown its test aircraft over 50,000 miles, including 9,000 miles in 2025. The company shifted its commercial launch from 2025 to the second half of 2026 in cities including New York, Texas, and Florida. This follows prior demos in the San Francisco Bay Area and Jobys 2023 electric flight from Downtown Skyport.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey supported the initial flight from JFK, the first eVTOL departure from one of the citys major airports.