eVTOL Timeline
From concept to commercial reality — the journey of electric air taxis. USA-built progress front and center: Joby in FAA Stage 4, Part 194 finalized, the eIPP cohort live across 26 states, Archer + United for LA28, and BETA opening Hawaii.
Track certifications, flight tests, commercial launches, investments, and regulatory breakthroughs that are shaping the future of US and global urban air mobility.
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Industry Milestones
Every major milestone in the eVTOL journey — from founding to commercial flight. USA-made progress is the primary spine; flip the toggle for the global view.
Made in USA — where US eVTOL stands today
US-built eVTOL is on the cusp of commercial revenue service. With Part 194 finalized, the eIPP cohort live, and Joby in FAA Stage 4, the next 18 months will reshape American urban transport.
Joby Aviation Founded
JoeBen Bevirt founds Joby Aviation in Santa Cruz, California, with a vision to build electric aircraft for everyday transportation. The company would go on to become the frontrunner in the eVTOL race.
Joby AviationUber Elevate Whitepaper Published
Uber releases the Elevate whitepaper, introducing the concept of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) to the mainstream. The paper catalyzes global interest and investment in eVTOL aircraft development.
Why it matters: Set the commercial vision the entire industry organized around.
Archer Aviation Founded
Brett Adcock and Adam Goldstein found Archer Aviation in San Francisco. The company quickly attracts major airline partnerships and becomes a leading contender in the eVTOL market.
Archer AviationJoby Completes Full Transition Flight
Joby Aviation achieves a full transition flight, demonstrating vertical takeoff, wing-borne cruise, and vertical landing in a single mission. This marks a critical engineering milestone for the tilt-rotor design.
Joby AviationToyota Invests $394M in Joby
Toyota Motor Corporation makes a landmark $394 million investment in Joby Aviation, the largest single investment in eVTOL at the time. Toyota also embeds 200+ manufacturing engineers to accelerate production readiness.
Joby AviationJoby Goes Public via SPAC ($4.5B)
Joby Aviation goes public on the NYSE through a SPAC merger valuing the company at $4.5 billion. This marks the beginning of the eVTOL public market era and attracts widespread investor attention.
Joby AviationArcher Goes Public via SPAC
Archer Aviation completes its SPAC merger and begins trading on the NYSE. The eVTOL boom accelerates as multiple companies access public capital markets to fund development and certification.
Archer AviationWisk Acquires Autonomous Technology
Wisk Aero, backed by Boeing, acquires key autonomous flight technology to advance its self-flying air taxi program. The company positions itself as the leader in autonomous eVTOL operations.
Joby Partners with Delta Air Lines
Joby Aviation announces a partnership with Delta Air Lines for airport-to-city eVTOL service in New York and Los Angeles. Delta invests $60 million as part of the deal.
Joby AviationFAA Publishes SFAR for Powered-Lift Pilot Rules
The FAA publishes the Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) establishing pilot certification requirements for powered-lift aircraft. This regulatory framework — tracked in our eVTOL Regulations guide — is essential for US eVTOL commercial operations.
Why it matters: Unlocked the legal pathway to certify the first US air-taxi pilots.
Wisk Gen 6 First Flight
Wisk Aero, Boeing's autonomous eVTOL subsidiary, completes the first flight of its Generation 6 air taxi. The autonomous aircraft represents a major step toward self-flying commercial air taxi service.
Wisk AeroOverair Ceases Operations; Supernal Paused
Overair shuts down after running out of funding for its Butterfly eVTOL aircraft. Hyundai's Supernal program is paused amid restructuring, highlighting the challenges facing the industry's less-funded players.
BETA Technologies IPO
BETA Technologies completes its ~$7B IPO, becoming the latest US eVTOL company to go public. The fixed-wing ALIA CX300 design with 250-mile range and the UPS cargo partnership attract strong investor interest.
BETA TechnologiesJoby Raises $1.2B; AutoFlight Unveils Matrix V5000
Joby Aviation raises approximately $1.2 billion through convertible notes and share offerings to fund certification and production. AutoFlight unveils the Matrix V5000, a 5-ton eVTOL designed for longer-range urban air mobility.
Joby AviationJoby Sets 65 km Coastal Flight Record
Joby Aviation flies a 65 km coastal route on the California coast, the longest single-leg piloted flight by a US tilt-rotor eVTOL to date. The flight is widely cited as evidence the production-intent S4 can hit its real-world range targets.
Why it matters: Settled lingering range doubts ahead of US commercial service.
Joby AviationCongress Introduces Bipartisan eVTOL Bill
A bipartisan group introduces the Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act, aimed at accelerating FAA type certification of US powered-lift aircraft and authorizing additional eIPP funding. Archer also signs an EXPO 2027 partnership with Serbia.
White House Signs eIPP Executive Action
The White House formally signs the eIPP (eVTOL Integration Pilot Program) executive action, locking in 8 demonstration projects across 26 states. Both Joby and Archer are confirmed participants.
Why it matters: Greenlit pre-certification commercial demos in real US cities.
Archer Confirms Texas, Florida & New York eIPP Cities
Archer Aviation confirms Texas, Florida and New York as its eIPP demo states, with Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Miami, Tampa and a Manhattan vertiport on the shortlist. See our USA air-taxi map for the full launch picture.
Archer AviationFAA Part 194 Powered-Lift Operations Rule Finalized
The FAA finalizes Part 194, the dedicated operating rule for powered-lift aircraft. Combined with the SFAR pilot rule, US operators now have a complete regulatory stack to begin commercial revenue service once an airframe is type-certificated.
Why it matters: Removed the last regulatory blocker to US revenue eVTOL flights.
BETA + Surf Air to Run Inter-Island Hawaii Routes
BETA Technologies and Surf Air Mobility announce inter-island Hawaiian routes using the all-electric ALIA CX300 — cargo in 2026, passenger service targeted for 2027. The first US scheduled eVTOL/electric short-haul network outside the mainland.
BETA TechnologiesJoby Hits FAA Stage 4 (TIA)
Joby Aviation enters FAA Stage 4 — Type Inspection Authorization, the final stage before US Type Certification. Stage 4 means FAA pilots can now formally fly the conforming production-intent S4 for credit.
Why it matters: Last major FAA milestone before Joby can carry paying US passengers.
Joby AviationJoby Demo Flight: JFK ↔ Manhattan
Joby flies a piloted JFK ↔ Downtown Manhattan demo flight, the first eVTOL public demonstration on a real future commercial NYC route. Eight-minute trip versus the typical 60-minute drive.
Joby AviationJoby Crosses 1,000 Test Flights; Conforming Aircraft to Dubai
Joby Aviation crosses 1,000 cumulative test flights and ferries a FAA-conforming production-intent aircraft to Dubai ahead of the Q2 2026 commercial launch.
Joby AviationArcher + United: LA28 Olympics Route Network
Archer Aviation and United Airlines unveil the planned LA28 Olympics route network — LAX, USC, Hollywood Burbank, Long Beach and downtown Los Angeles vertiports — positioning eVTOL as the official Olympics ground-transport alternative.
Archer AviationWisk Gen 6 Achieves Autonomous Transition Flight
Wisk Aero completes the first fully autonomous transition flight of its Gen 6 air taxi — vertical takeoff to wing-borne cruise to vertical landing, with no pilot on board. A defining US milestone toward an autonomous-first commercial fleet.
Why it matters: First credible proof that autonomous air taxis can be commercially viable.
Wisk AeroArcher FAA Means of Compliance + Abu Dhabi Q3
Archer Aviation closes FAA means of compliance on the Midnight aircraft and confirms a Q3 2026 Abu Dhabi commercial launch window. Combined with Joby's Dubai launch, the UAE becomes the world's first dual-operator eVTOL market.
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FAA eIPP Demonstration Flights in US Cities
The FAA eIPP program is expected to enable pre-certification passenger demonstration flights across 8 projects in 26 states — the first commercial-grade eVTOL flights on US soil. Joby and Archer are confirmed participants.
Joby & Archer Targeting Final FAA Type Certification
Both Joby (in Stage 4 TIA) and Archer (means of compliance closed) are targeting final FAA Type Certification by year-end 2026 / early 2027 — track progress on the eVTOL Certification Tracker.
Joby & Archer US Commercial Operations Begin
Following final FAA Type Certification, US commercial eVTOL operations begin in lead cities — New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston and Miami. Eve Air Mobility begins worldwide aircraft deliveries.
LA28 Olympics Air Taxi Service
Archer Aviation and United Airlines deliver eVTOL air-taxi service for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, showcasing US-built eVTOL to a global TV audience. Vertical Aerospace targets EASA/CAA certification of the Valo (formerly VX4).
Archer AviationAutonomous eVTOL Operations at Scale
Industry shifts to autonomous eVTOL operations led by Wisk and follow-on US programs, dramatically lowering operating costs. Per-mile costs target $1–2, making air taxis competitive with ground ride-sharing — see our air taxi cost guide.
What's Next
The most anticipated eVTOL milestones on the horizon — from US commercial launches to certification breakthroughs.
Joby Dubai Commercial Launch
Joby Aviation begins the world's first large-scale commercial eVTOL air taxi service in Dubai, operating from the Skyports DXV vertiport with airport-to-downtown routes. See our Dubai launch countdown.
Joby AviationFAA eIPP Demonstration Flights in US Cities
The FAA eIPP program is expected to enable pre-certification passenger demonstration flights across 8 projects in 26 states — the first commercial-grade eVTOL flights on US soil. Joby and Archer are confirmed participants.
Archer Abu Dhabi Commercial Launch
Archer Aviation is targeting Q3 2026 to begin commercial Midnight service in Abu Dhabi, making the UAE the first dual-operator eVTOL market with both Joby and Archer flying paying passengers.
Archer AviationJoby & Archer Targeting Final FAA Type Certification
Both Joby (in Stage 4 TIA) and Archer (means of compliance closed) are targeting final FAA Type Certification by year-end 2026 / early 2027 — track progress on the eVTOL Certification Tracker.
Joby & Archer US Commercial Operations Begin
Following final FAA Type Certification, US commercial eVTOL operations begin in lead cities — New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston and Miami. Eve Air Mobility begins worldwide aircraft deliveries.
LA28 Olympics Air Taxi Service
Archer Aviation and United Airlines deliver eVTOL air-taxi service for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, showcasing US-built eVTOL to a global TV audience. Vertical Aerospace targets EASA/CAA certification of the Valo (formerly VX4).
Archer AviationAutonomous eVTOL Operations at Scale
Industry shifts to autonomous eVTOL operations led by Wisk and follow-on US programs, dramatically lowering operating costs. Per-mile costs target $1–2, making air taxis competitive with ground ride-sharing — see our air taxi cost guide.
Get notified when air taxis launch in your US city
With Joby in FAA Stage 4 and the eIPP cohort live across 26 states, US revenue service is around the corner. We'll notify you the moment your city goes live — or you can book a flight now in markets that are already open.
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Book a flight today
Air taxi service is already live in select cities (Dubai now, Abu Dhabi Q3 2026). Browse routes and reserve your seat.
- Live: Dubai (Joby + Skyports DXV)
- Q3 2026: Abu Dhabi (Archer)
- Coming 2027: NYC, LA, Dallas, Houston, Miami
Explore More
Dive deeper into the eVTOL industry with our comprehensive guides and trackers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are eVTOL air taxis flying yet in the US?
Not commercially yet — but the FAA's eIPP (eVTOL Integration Pilot Program) is now greenlighting pre-certification demonstration flights across 8 projects in 26 states starting summer 2026, with both Joby and Archer participating. Joby flew a public demo flight from JFK to Manhattan in April 2026. Full US revenue passenger service is expected to begin in 2027 once Joby and Archer complete FAA Type Certification.
Which US cities will get air taxis first?
The first US lead cities are New York, Los Angeles, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and Miami — driven by Joby's NYC partnership with Delta, Archer's deal with United Airlines for the LA28 Olympics, and the eIPP demo program in Texas and Florida. BETA Technologies is also opening Hawaii inter-island routes, starting cargo in 2026 and passenger service in 2027.
Is Joby Aviation FAA certified?
Joby is in FAA Stage 4 (Type Inspection Authorization) as of April 2026 — the final stage of FAA Type Certification. In Stage 4, FAA pilots formally fly the conforming production-intent S4 aircraft for credit. Joby has crossed 1,000 cumulative test flights and is targeting final FAA Type Certificate by late 2026 or early 2027, which would unlock US revenue service.
Which eVTOL company is closest to FAA Type Certification?
Joby Aviation is widely considered the FAA Type Certification frontrunner — they entered Stage 4 (TIA) in April 2026, the final FAA stage. Archer Aviation is close behind, having finalized its means of compliance with the FAA on the Midnight aircraft. Both are realistically targeting late 2026 / early 2027 final type certificates. Beyond them, BETA Technologies (ALIA) and Wisk Aero (autonomous Gen 6) are the next major US contenders.
What is the eIPP program?
The eIPP (eVTOL Integration Pilot Program) is a White House and FAA initiative — formally signed into action in March 2026 — that allows pre-certification eVTOL demonstration flights in real US airspace. It covers 8 projects across 26 states, designed to get city, state and federal regulators flying real US-built eVTOL together before final type certification. Joby and Archer are confirmed participants.
What is FAA Part 194?
Part 194 is the FAA's dedicated operating rule for powered-lift aircraft (the regulatory category eVTOL falls into), finalized in March 2026. Combined with the SFAR pilot certification rule from October 2024, it gives US operators a complete regulatory stack to begin commercial revenue eVTOL flights once an airframe is type-certificated.
When will eVTOL air taxis launch commercially?
Commercial eVTOL air taxi service is already operating in China through EHang since late 2025. Joby Aviation is launching commercial service in Dubai in Q2 2026, with Archer Aviation following in Abu Dhabi in Q3 2026. US commercial operations are expected in 2027 following FAA Type Certification, with a major showcase at the LA28 Summer Olympics in 2028.
What is the history of eVTOL aircraft development?
eVTOL development began in earnest around 2009 when Joby Aviation was founded in California. The concept gained mainstream attention in 2016 when Uber published its Elevate whitepaper. By 2018, companies like Lilium and Archer were founded and conducting early flight tests. The industry accelerated through 2020-2021 with Toyota's $394M investment in Joby and multiple SPACs. EHang received the world's first eVTOL Type Certificate in 2023, and by 2025-2026 commercial operations began launching globally — with US revenue service expected in 2027.
When did the first eVTOL aircraft receive certification?
The first eVTOL aircraft to receive a Type Certificate was the EHang EH216-S, which received certification from China's CAAC in October 2023. EHang subsequently received its Production Certificate in April 2024 and Air Operator's Certificate in December 2025, enabling full commercial tourist flight operations in multiple Chinese cities. The first US Type Certification is expected in late 2026 / early 2027 (Joby).
What happened to Lilium and other eVTOL companies that shut down?
Lilium ceased operations in February 2025 after failing to secure additional funding despite raising over $1.5 billion. Overair also ceased operations in March 2025, and Hyundai's Supernal program was paused. These closures highlight the capital-intensive nature of eVTOL development and the importance of strong financial backing. Meanwhile, Volocopter was acquired by Diamond Aircraft Group, ensuring its program's continuation. The remaining well-funded US players (Joby, Archer, BETA, Wisk) have only consolidated their lead.
What are the next major eVTOL milestones to watch?
The most anticipated upcoming milestones are: Joby's commercial Dubai launch (Q2 2026), FAA eIPP demonstration flights in US cities (summer 2026), Archer's Abu Dhabi commercial launch (Q3 2026), final FAA Type Certifications for Joby and Archer (late 2026 / early 2027), the start of US revenue passenger service (2027), the LA28 Olympics air taxi service, and the beginning of autonomous eVTOL operations at scale by 2030.
How has eVTOL regulation evolved over time?
The FAA's SFAR for powered-lift pilot rules took effect in October 2024. The dedicated operating rule, Part 194, was finalized in March 2026 — completing the US regulatory stack. The White House signed the eIPP executive action in March 2026, locking in pre-certification demo flights across 26 states. Congress introduced the bipartisan Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act in February 2026 to accelerate certification further. Internationally, EHang (CAAC) and AutoFlight have type certificates in China, while EASA's SC-VTOL framework continues to advance in Europe.
Which eVTOL companies have achieved major flight test milestones?
Joby Aviation completed its full transition flight in 2019, set a 65 km coastal flight record in February 2026, and crossed 1,000 cumulative test flights by April 2026. Lilium achieved its first hover flight in 2018. Wisk Aero completed the first flight of its autonomous Gen 6 aircraft in December 2024, and the first fully autonomous transition flight in April 2026. AutoFlight's Prosperity I received CAAC Type Certificate in 2024. EHang has been operating commercially since late 2025 with its certified EH216-S aircraft.
How many US-built eVTOL companies are in active FAA certification?
As of April 2026, five US-built eVTOL programs are in active FAA Type Certification work: Joby Aviation (Stage 4 / TIA — most advanced), Archer Aviation (means of compliance closed), BETA Technologies (ALIA — fixed-wing electric, IPO completed November 2025), Wisk Aero (Boeing-backed, autonomous Gen 6), and Supernal (Hyundai, restarting after a 2025 pause). Together they have raised more than $15 billion in committed capital since 2020.
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