Sunita Somvanshi
Joby Aviation reached a major milestone on August 15, 2025, completing what it calls the first piloted electric air taxi flight between two public airports in the United States. The aircraft flew from Marina Municipal Airport to Monterey Regional Airport in California, covering approximately 10 nautical miles in 12 minutes.
The flight wasn’t just a simple point-to-point journey. It included a five-minute holding pattern at Monterey to sequence with other aircraft in FAA-controlled airspace. This real-world test demonstrated how the air taxi would operate alongside traditional aircraft using standard air traffic control procedures.
“Successfully flying from Marina to Monterey showcased operations of our aircraft integrated in the broader transportation network and further validated its performance to ensure we’re prepared for service on day one,” said Didier Papadopoulos, President of Aircraft OEM at Joby.
What makes this flight significant is how it proves several capabilities needed for commercial operations. The aircraft performed a vertical takeoff, transitioned to wingborne flight for cruising, integrated with controlled airspace around Monterey, and executed a vertical landing. The company also demonstrated its ability to conduct mobile flight tests and run full ground support operations away from its home base.
The flight generated valuable data on human factors related to operating the aircraft at a controlled airport and in national airspace. This included adhering to the same air traffic control protocols used by commercial airlines, such as sequencing with other aircraft and holding to accommodate an arriving airliner.
This achievement supports Joby’s certification efforts with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which requires aircraft to demonstrate they can operate in shared airspace by flying between multiple airports. It builds on Joby’s extensive testing history, with over 40,000 miles flown across its fleet.
Joby has begun final assembly of its first aircraft intended for Type Inspection Authorization flight testing, which is one of the final steps in the FAA certification process. The company expects FAA pilots to begin flight tests in early 2026. Following certification, Joby plans to launch commercial service in Los Angeles and New York City first.
The flight comes as Joby also pursues a strategic business move with its planned acquisition of Blade Air Mobility’s passenger business, which would help establish its commercial operations network.
The company’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is designed to offer a faster, cleaner transportation option for urban areas, potentially reducing travel times and congestion while producing zero operational emissions.
