Flying Taxis Near Reality as eVTOL Technology Gains Momentum

Joby, Archer, and Wisk lead the race to launch electric air taxis, reshaping urban mobility worldwide

The long-envisioned dream of flying cars is edging closer to reality as leading aerospace innovators push forward with electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs).

Companies such as Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, and Wisk Aero are spearheading efforts to transform urban transportation, promising faster, quieter, and more sustainable travel compared to traditional helicopters.

Joby Aviation’s aircraft can lift off vertically, cruise at speeds of up to 200 mph (322 km/h), and cover ranges of about 100 miles (161 km). CEO JoeBen Bevirt, who imagined flying cars as a child in the 1980s, now leads the company’s mission to turn one-hour trips into five-minute journeys.

Archer Aviation, backed by Stellantis and United Airlines, is testing its “Midnight” prototype in California, while Wisk Aero — supported by Boeing and Google co-founder Larry Page — continues developing autonomous eVTOLs. Joby has partnered with Delta Air Lines to connect passengers to airports, and Archer has agreed to sell up to 200 aircraft to United Airlines.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently introduced a new “powered lift” category for eVTOLs — the first new aircraft classification since helicopters in the 1940s. Regulatory hurdles remain, but Dubai is expected to be the first city to launch commercial eVTOL services in 2026, with vertiports already under construction.

Despite challenges, investment continues to flow. Archer raised $430 million in late 2024, while Joby secured nearly $900 million from a Japanese automaker. Collectively, eVTOL companies have raised $13 billion over the past five years.

Both Joby and Archer went public in 2021, attracting talent from Tesla, SpaceX, and Uber’s former eVTOL division, which Joby acquired for $83 million. Losses remain steep — Joby has accumulated $1.6 billion since 2009, and Archer nearly $1.5 billion since 2018. To diversify revenue, both companies are exploring military applications, including short-range missions and logistics support.

Fresh reports confirm major milestones:

• Dubai Launch: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced that Joby Aviation’s eVTOL taxis will begin commercial service in 2026, making Dubai the first city worldwide to operate an electric air taxi network.

• U.S. Progress: Joby completed the first piloted eVTOL flight between two public airports in California, while Archer’s Midnight prototype achieved its longest flight of 55 miles at 126 mph.

• Global Expansion: Vertical Aerospace in the UK also logged its first airport-to-airport VX4 flight, signaling broader international competition.

• Market Outlook: Analysts expect initial services to focus on airport transfers and short urban hops, with wider adoption likely in the 2030s.

Comparative Snapshot
Company -----------Prototype ----Range / Speed --------Partnerships ---------------Status (2026)
Joby Aviation -------Joby eVTOL -100 miles / 200 mph---Delta Air Lines --------------Dubai launch confirmed
Archer Aviation -----Midnight ------55 miles / 126 mph----United Airlines, Stellantis-Longest test flight done
Vertical Aerospace--VX4 -----------100 miles / 150 mph--Rolls-Royce, Honeywell --UK airport flights done
Wisk Aero ------------Autonomous -Boeing, Larry Page --Testing phase ---------------ongoing
                                eVTOLTBD

Flying taxis are transitioning from science fiction to reality. With Dubai set to launch the world’s first commercial eVTOL service in 2026, and U.S. companies achieving milestone flights, the industry is entering its “walk” phase after years of crawling. While regulatory and financial hurdles remain, optimism is high that urban air mobility will reshape travel in the next decade.

Source: San Fransisco - AP & XAirForces News, 08 January 2026

Photo: Electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle, or eVTOL Salinas, Calif. in 2024. (Photo by AP)

Photo Story: Flying taxis are nearing reality as Joby, Archer, and Wisk lead the global race to launch eVTOL aircraft. With Dubai set to debut the first commercial air taxi service in 2026, urban mobility is on the brink of transformation.

Editor: Hüseyin Tüfekci (©XAirForces Aerospace Industry and Space Technologies News Editor from Istanbul/Turkiye)

Keywords:  $13 billion fundingAir Mobilityair taxi marketair taxi regulationAnduril IndustriesArcher Aviationaviation innovationBlade RunnerBoeingDelta Air LinesDubai air taxiselectric aircrafteVTOLFAA powered liftflying taxisfuture of aviationHayalet-2highways in the skyintellectual property lawsuitinvestmentIPO 2021Joby AviationLarry PageLos Angeles airportsMarina Californiamilitary contractsNew York airportsPalmer Luckeypassenger transportreverse mergerSalinas CaliforniaSan Jose CaliforniaSpaceX engineersStellantisTesla engineersThe Jetsonstraffic reductionUberUnited Airlinesurban infrastructureurban transportationvertical take-offWisk Aero

Flying Taxis Near Takeoff as eVTOL Technology Advance


(8.01.2026)