NYC Air Taxi Cuts JFK Commute to 7 Minutes

Joby Aviation completes first electric air taxi flight from JFK to Manhattan in seven minutes

Electric Air Taxi Flies JFK to Manhattan

Travelers heading to JFK Airport could soon skip traffic jams entirely. Joby Aviation completed its first electric air taxi flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Manhattan heliports Monday, cutting what's often an hour-long drive to just seven minutes. The eVTOL aircraft marks a major step toward commercial urban air mobility service in New York.

Quieter Alternative to Helicopters

The Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing aircraft offers a cleaner, quieter alternative to traditional helicopters that've long served Manhattan's heliports. Joby's aircraft is 100 times quieter than conventional helicopters, according to the company, making it suitable for mass use without disrupting residents in flight paths. The aircraft starts with propellers in a vertical position like a helicopter, then rotates them sideways like a plane once it reaches 1,000 feet altitude. Kathryn Garcia, executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, compared the innovation to "The Jetsons" cartoon, calling it the first piece of that futuristic vision.

Seven-Minute Flight Time

The demonstration flight took just seven minutes between JFK and Manhattan, compared to unpredictable travel times by car on routes like the Van Wyck Expressway. The electric aircraft carries passengers in a cabin similar to a small plane, with the vertical takeoff capability eliminating the need for runways. Joby didn't specify passenger capacity for the demonstration flight or which Manhattan heliport served as the landing point. The company's testing the route as part of its final preparations for commercial service.

Commercial Launch Within Two Years

Joby Aviation's currently in the final stages of federal approval for commercial operations. The company expects to launch commercial flights within the next one to two years, officials said. Upon launch, Joby plans to scale up operations so trip costs will be comparable to taking an Uber or car service to the airport, though specific pricing wasn't announced. The timeline for receiving Federal Aviation Administration certification wasn't provided.

Impact on Airport Commuters

The electric air taxi service aims to give travelers more time back in their day by significantly reducing commute times between Manhattan and the airport. Once commercial operations begin, the service could provide a faster alternative for business travelers and others willing to pay premium fares for time savings. Riders can track transit connections to JFK and Manhattan heliports through Moovit's real-time trip planning features.