What is an Air Taxi?
An air taxi is an electric flying vehicle that takes off and lands vertically, carrying passengers across cities in minutes instead of hours. Powered by clean electric motors, air taxis represent the next revolution in urban transportation — quieter than helicopters, cheaper than charter flights, and greener than cars. Discover how flying taxis work, when they launch near you, and how to book your first ride.
How Air Taxis Work
Air taxis use eVTOL (electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing) technology to fly passengers between points in a city without needing a runway. Here is the simple science behind how a flying taxi gets you from point A to point B.
Electric Motors
Air taxis are powered by multiple independent electric motors, typically 6 to 12, distributed across the aircraft. Electric drivetrains are simpler and more reliable than combustion engines, with fewer moving parts and lower maintenance needs. This distributed electric propulsion is what makes air taxis quieter, cleaner, and safer than traditional aircraft.
Vertical Takeoff
Unlike airplanes that need runways, air taxis lift off vertically from compact vertiports located on rooftops, parking structures, and dedicated ground pads. Tilting rotors or fixed lift propellers generate thrust to raise the aircraft straight up, then transition to forward flight mode for efficient cruising at speeds up to 200 mph.
Battery Power
High-density lithium-ion batteries store the energy needed for flight. Current batteries enable ranges of 60 to 150 miles on a single charge, with fast-charging technology allowing full recharges in 10 to 20 minutes between flights. By 2030, next-generation battery technology is expected to push ranges beyond 200 miles.
Quiet Operation
Air taxis operate at approximately 65 to 70 decibels during flight, roughly the volume of a normal conversation. This is dramatically quieter than helicopters at 100+ decibels. Advanced blade design and electric propulsion eliminate the loud mechanical noise of combustion engines, making air taxis suitable for operations in dense urban environments.
Air Taxi vs Traditional Transport
See how air taxis compare to cars, helicopters, and trains on the metrics that matter most: speed, cost, environmental impact, and noise levels.
| Feature | Air Taxi | Car / Rideshare | Helicopter | Train / Metro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speed (City Trip) | 150-200 mph | 15-30 mph | 150 mph | 30-60 mph |
| Cost per Mile | $3-6 (→$1-2) | $2-4 | $30-50 | $0.25-1 |
| Emissions | Zero Direct | High (ICE) / Low (EV) | Very High | Low (Electric) |
| Noise Level | 65-70 dB | 70-80 dB | 100+ dB | 75-85 dB |
| 30-Mile Trip Time | 10-15 min | 45-90 min | 12-18 min | 35-50 min |
| Door-to-Door | Vertiport Network | Full Door-to-Door | Helipad Only | Station-to-Station |
Air Taxi Benefits
Flying taxis offer transformative advantages over traditional ground transportation. Here are six key reasons air taxis will change how cities move.
Time Savings
Skip traffic entirely by flying above it. A 60-minute ground commute becomes a 10-minute air taxi ride. Airport transfers that take over an hour by car can be completed in under 15 minutes, giving you back hours of your day, every day. Time saved compounds into weeks recovered per year for regular commuters.
Zero Emissions
Air taxis produce zero direct emissions during flight. Powered entirely by electric batteries, they eliminate the carbon footprint associated with combustion-engine vehicles and helicopters. A single air taxi replacing car trips can prevent thousands of pounds of CO2 emissions annually, contributing to cleaner air in congested urban areas.
Low Noise
At 65 to 70 decibels, air taxis are comparable to normal conversation levels. This is a dramatic improvement over helicopters at 100+ decibels. Low noise means air taxis can operate from downtown vertiports without disturbing neighborhoods, enabling early morning and late evening flights that helicopters cannot offer.
Safety
Multiple redundant electric motors mean if one fails, others compensate seamlessly. eVTOL aircraft meet the same certification standards as commercial airlines. Simpler electric drivetrains have fewer failure points than combustion engines. Advanced fly-by-wire systems and autonomous flight capabilities add additional layers of safety.
Accessibility
Vertiports can be placed closer to where people live and work than airports or helipads. Compact landing pads on rooftops and parking garages bring air travel into the urban core. Simple app-based booking makes air taxis as easy to use as ride-sharing services, opening aviation to millions of new passengers.
Affordability
While initial pricing of $3 to $6 per mile matches premium ride-sharing, scaling and automation will drive costs to $1 to $2 per mile by 2030. Electric motors cost far less to operate than combustion engines. Autonomous flight technology will further reduce costs, making air taxis a viable daily commute option for millions.
Leading Air Taxi Companies
The air taxi industry is driven by innovative companies racing to bring electric flying taxis to market. Here are the pioneering manufacturers and operators building the future of urban air mobility.
Joby Aviation
Leading the air taxi race with a 5-seat eVTOL capable of 150+ miles range and 200 mph speeds. Joby holds a Part 135 air carrier certificate and is targeting commercial launch in 2025 with partnerships with Delta Air Lines and the U.S. Air Force.
View in MarketplaceArcher Aviation
Developing the Midnight aircraft, a piloted air taxi designed for back-to-back short trips. Archer has secured partnerships with United Airlines and plans to launch commercial operations in cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Miami.
View in MarketplaceWisk Aero
A Boeing-backed company developing an autonomous, self-flying air taxi. Wisk's 6th generation aircraft is designed for pilotless operation, which could significantly reduce operating costs and improve scalability.
View in MarketplaceEHang
Chinese company pioneering autonomous aerial vehicles with over 40,000 test flights completed. EHang received the world's first type certificate for an eVTOL passenger aircraft from CAAC in 2023 and operates commercial flights in China.
View in MarketplaceEve Air Mobility
An Embraer spin-off leveraging decades of aviation experience to develop a practical, scalable urban air mobility solution. Eve has secured over 2,900 letters of intent from airlines and operators worldwide.
View in MarketplaceVolocopter
German company developing the VoloCity air taxi and VoloPort vertiport infrastructure. Volocopter is targeting launches in Singapore, Rome, and other major cities with a focus on urban air mobility integration.
View in MarketplaceLilium
Developing the Lilium Jet, a 7-seat eVTOL with a unique electric jet engine design enabling longer range of up to 186 miles. Lilium targets regional air mobility connecting cities and suburbs.
View in MarketplaceBETA Technologies
Building the ALIA eVTOL aircraft along with a nationwide charging network. BETA has secured orders from United Therapeutics, UPS, and Blade Air Mobility, with a focus on cargo and passenger operations.
View in MarketplaceAir Taxi Timeline
From certification milestones to full-scale commercial operations, here is how the air taxi industry is expected to unfold from 2024 to 2030.
Certification Milestones
Multiple eVTOL manufacturers achieve key FAA and EASA certification milestones. EHang receives first commercial operating permits. Infrastructure planning accelerates across major cities worldwide.
First Commercial Flights
Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation target first commercial air taxi flights. Initial routes connect major airports to city centers in Los Angeles, Miami, and Dubai. Limited seat availability with premium pricing.
Network Expansion
Air taxi networks expand to additional cities including New York, London, Tokyo, Singapore, and Seoul. New vertiport locations open. Competition drives pricing improvements and service availability increases.
Mass Market Access
Multiple operators compete in key markets. Prices begin approaching ride-share levels. Autonomous air taxi trials begin in select corridors. Cross-city and suburban routes launch beyond airport connections.
Full Scale Operations
Hundreds of air taxi routes operate daily across dozens of cities. Autonomous operations reduce costs further. Per-mile pricing drops to $1 to $2. Air taxis become a mainstream urban transportation option alongside cars, trains, and ride-sharing.
Air Taxi Cities
Air taxi services are launching in major metropolitan areas around the world. Explore the cities where flying taxis will be available first and find air taxi services near you.
Air Taxi FAQ
Get answers to the most commonly asked questions about air taxis, flying taxi technology, safety, pricing, and availability.
What is an air taxi?
An air taxi is an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed to carry passengers on short urban and suburban routes. Unlike traditional helicopters, air taxis are powered by electric motors, making them quieter, cleaner, and more affordable. They take off and land vertically from vertiports, eliminating the need for runways and enabling point-to-point urban transportation.
How much does an air taxi ride cost?
Air taxi rides are expected to cost between $3 and $6 per mile during initial commercial operations, comparable to premium ride-sharing services like Uber Black. As the industry scales, prices are projected to decrease to $1 to $2 per mile by 2030. A typical 20 to 30 mile airport-to-downtown trip could cost between $60 and $150 initially, making air taxis competitive with ground-based premium transportation.
Are air taxis safe?
Yes, air taxis are designed with safety as the top priority. eVTOL aircraft feature multiple redundant electric motors, typically 6 to 12 independent propulsion units, so if one fails the others compensate seamlessly. They must meet the same rigorous certification standards set by the FAA and EASA as commercial airlines. Additionally, electric drivetrains have fewer moving parts than combustion engines, reducing mechanical failure risks.
When will air taxis be available?
Commercial air taxi services are launching in phases between 2025 and 2027. Companies like Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation received FAA type certification milestones in 2024 and 2025, with initial commercial flights expected in cities like Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Dubai. Broader urban networks are expected to expand through 2028 to 2030.
How fast do air taxis fly?
Most air taxi aircraft cruise at speeds between 150 and 200 miles per hour, with some models capable of reaching 250 miles per hour. This means a trip that takes 60 to 90 minutes by car in urban traffic can be completed in just 10 to 15 minutes by air taxi, representing a 4 to 6 times speed improvement over ground transportation.
Where can I find an air taxi near me?
Air taxi services are launching first in major metropolitan areas including Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Dallas, Dubai, London, Tokyo, Singapore, and Seoul. Use the eVTOL.Travel platform to check air taxi availability in your city, explore planned routes, and join the waitlist for early access when services launch near you.
How do air taxis take off and land?
Air taxis take off and land vertically, similar to a helicopter, using multiple electric rotors or tilting propellers. They operate from vertiports, which are specially designed landing pads located on rooftops, parking structures, airports, and dedicated ground facilities. The entire boarding and takeoff process is designed to take under 10 minutes.
Are air taxis environmentally friendly?
Yes, air taxis produce zero direct emissions during flight since they are powered entirely by electric batteries. They are approximately 50 to 90 percent quieter than helicopters, operating at around 65 to 70 decibels compared to over 100 decibels for helicopters. When charged with renewable energy, air taxis offer a truly carbon-neutral transportation option.
How many passengers can an air taxi carry?
Most air taxi aircraft are designed to carry 2 to 5 passengers plus a pilot, though some models are being developed for autonomous pilotless operation. Passengers can bring limited carry-on luggage similar to ride-sharing services. Group bookings for the entire aircraft will also be available for families and business teams.
What is the difference between an air taxi and a helicopter?
Air taxis differ from helicopters in several key ways. Air taxis use electric motors instead of combustion engines, making them significantly quieter (65 dB vs 100+ dB) and producing zero emissions. They have lower operating costs due to simpler electric drivetrains. Air taxis also feature distributed propulsion with multiple independent motors for enhanced safety. The expected per-mile cost for air taxis is $3 to $6 initially versus $30 to $50 per mile for helicopter charters.
Ready to Experience Air Taxi Travel?
The future of urban transportation is launching soon. Plan your first air taxi route, explore pricing, or join the waitlist to be among the first to fly.