Joby Aviation Launches First Electric Air Taxi Flights in Florida
Joby Aviation conducted Florida's first electric air taxi flights as part of a federal pilot program to establish a statewide aerial highway network.
An electric air taxi from Joby Aviation completed Florida's first eVTOL flight on October 30, 2026, traveling from Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg to Tampa International Airport. The flight, which recreated the world's first commercial airline route, was part of a series of piloted tests including demonstrations by Beta Technologies. These trials are central to the U.S. Department of Transportation's eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, which selected Florida as one of eight states to test electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for passengers, cargo, and medical response.
Governor Ron DeSantis and the Federal Aviation Administration announced that Florida will serve as a global hub for the program. The state is utilizing the tests to map a planned Aerial Highway Network, with legislation already passed allowing the Florida Department of Transportation to fund vertiport infrastructure. The initiative aims to enable roadless travel between major cities, such as Miami and Orlando, with real-world operations expected to begin by the end of 2026.
While the Joby aircraft is designed for speeds of 200 mph and four passengers, the company remains in the final stages of FAA type certification. The Federal Aviation Administration is using data from these flights to establish safety standards for integrating electric aircraft into national airspace. Subsequent test flights are planned for Orlando International Airport and the Kennedy Space Center.
