When Will eVTOL Be Available?
The eVTOL revolution is no longer a distant future — it is here. EHang is already flying passengers commercially in China, Joby is launching in Dubai in Q2 2026 with vertiports already built, Archer is launching in Abu Dhabi Q3 2026, and the White House eIPP program could bring pre-certification demo flights to US cities by mid-2026.
Quick answer: Commercial eVTOL air taxi service is imminent. Dubai launches Q2 2026, Abu Dhabi Q3 2026, and the eIPP program could enable US demo flights by mid-2026. Full FAA-certified US service is expected late 2026 or early 2027.
Complete eVTOL Timeline
From the first certification to mass adoption, here is the complete roadmap for eVTOL air taxi availability worldwide — updated with the latest February 2026 data.
EHang EH216-S receives CAAC type certificate in China
World first certified autonomous eVTOL for commercial passenger operations
FAA Powered-Lift rules finalized
Establishes the regulatory framework for eVTOL pilot certification and operations in the United States
EHang begins commercial sightseeing flights in multiple Chinese cities
First paying passengers fly in a certified eVTOL aircraft
FAA MOSAIC pilot privileges take effect
New pilot certification framework for powered-lift aircraft; aircraft certification provisions follow July 2026
BETA Technologies IPO on public markets
BETA Technologies goes public, raising capital for ALIA production ramp-up
Eve Air Mobility completes first prototype flight
Eve eVTOL full-scale prototype achieves first flight, beginning flight test campaign toward 2028 certification
DOT releases Advanced Air Mobility National Strategy
Ten-year federal roadmap (2026–2036) for integrating eVTOL into the national airspace system
Joby enters TIA phase; Archer advances FAA testing
Joby reaches Type Inspection Authorization (~70% through certification). Archer enters final stage of FAA Type Certification testing.
Dubai vertiport construction complete — Skyports DXV operational
World first dedicated eVTOL vertiport ready for Joby Aviation commercial launch
Congress introduces Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act
Bipartisan legislation to accelerate FAA eVTOL certification timelines and streamline regulatory approvals
SkyDrive demo flights in Tokyo
Public demonstration flights of SkyDrive eVTOL aircraft in Tokyo; commercial launch target 2028
White House eIPP participant selection
eVTOL Integration Pilot Program selects cities and operators for pre-certification commercial demonstrations; operations begin within 90 days
eIPP pre-certification demos begin (Joby, Archer)
Joby and Archer confirmed engagement — pre-certification passenger flights possible in select US cities by mid-2026
Joby Aviation commercial launch in Dubai
First commercial eVTOL air taxi service outside China; airport-to-downtown routes from Skyports DXV vertiport
Archer Aviation commercial launch in Abu Dhabi
Midnight aircraft operating airport transfer and urban routes in UAE; US summer 2026 target pending FAA certification
BETA Technologies ALIA CX300 conventional certification target
Fixed-wing conventional variant targeting early 2026 FAA certification; VTOL passenger variant to follow
MOSAIC aircraft certification provisions take effect
FAA MOSAIC rule aircraft certification framework becomes effective, enabling new eVTOL type certificate pathways
First full FAA Type Certifications expected (Joby, Archer)
Joby (~70% through) and Archer (final stage) expected to receive full FAA Type Certificates, unlocking US commercial operations
Volocopter targets EASA certification
European certification for VoloCity multicopter; Singapore and Rome launches planned
BETA Technologies passenger variant enters service
ALIA VTOL passenger variant following conventional certification; cargo and medevac operations continue scaling
Joby and Archer expand to U.S. cities
Los Angeles, New York, Miami, and Dallas expected early U.S. markets following FAA certification
Eve Air Mobility begins operations in Brazil and UK
Embraer-backed operator targeting Sao Paulo and London markets
Eve Air Mobility commercial launch
Full commercial operations begin following certification target of 2028
SkyDrive commercial launch in Japan
Commercial eVTOL service launches following Tokyo demo flights and certification
Archer targets LA Olympics air taxi service
Midnight aircraft providing air taxi service for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics
Network scaling to 20+ cities worldwide
Multiple operators competing on popular routes; prices begin declining
Mass adoption phase begins
Per-mile costs drop to $1–2; daily commuter service becomes viable; 100+ vertiports in major metros
Full urban integration and autonomous fleet operations
eVTOL becomes a standard transit option alongside subway, bus, and ride-share
Regional eVTOL routes connecting cities
Longer-range aircraft connect cities 100–250 miles apart; replacing short-haul flights
eIPP: Pre-Certification Flights in 2026
The White House eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) is a game-changer — enabling pre-certification commercial demonstrations in select US cities before full FAA Type Certification is complete.
March 2026
Participant selection — cities and operators chosen for the eIPP program
90-Day Operations
Commercial demonstrations begin within 90 days of participant selection
Joby & Archer
Both leading manufacturers confirmed engagement with the eIPP program
Passenger Flights
Pre-certification passenger flights possible in select US cities by mid-2026
City-by-City Launch Calendar
When will eVTOL air taxi service arrive in specific cities? Here is the expected launch schedule for the first wave of urban air mobility markets worldwide.
| City | Operator | Aircraft | Launch Date | Status | Service Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guangzhou, China | EHang | EH216-S | 2024 | Operating Now | Autonomous sightseeing |
| Dubai, UAE | Joby Aviation | Joby S4 | Q2 2026 | Launching 2026 | Airport transfers & urban routes |
| Abu Dhabi, UAE | Archer Aviation | Midnight | Q3 2026 | Launching 2026 | Airport transfers & urban routes |
| Select US Cities | Joby / Archer | S4 / Midnight | Mid-2026 | eIPP Demos 2026 | Pre-certification passenger demos (eIPP) |
| Tokyo, Japan | SkyDrive | SkyDrive eVTOL | Feb 2026 | Demos Feb 2026 | Public demonstration flights |
| Los Angeles, USA | Joby / Archer | S4 / Midnight | 2027 | Expected 2027 | Airport-to-downtown; intercity |
| New York, USA | Joby / Archer / Blade | Multiple | 2027 | Expected 2027 | Airport transfers; Manhattan routes |
| Singapore | Volocopter | VoloCity | 2027 | Expected 2027 | Marina Bay area urban routes |
| Rome, Italy | Volocopter | VoloCity | 2027 | Expected 2027 | Airport-to-city; tourism routes |
| London, UK | Vertical / Eve | VX4 / Eve eVTOL | 2027–2028 | Expected 2027–2028 | Heathrow-to-City; Thames corridor |
| São Paulo, Brazil | Eve Air Mobility | Eve eVTOL | 2028 | Expected 2028 | Congestion bypass; airport transfers |
| Miami, USA | Archer / Blade | Midnight | 2027–2028 | Expected 2027–2028 | Beach-to-airport; intercity FL |
| Seoul, South Korea | Multiple | TBD | 2028 | Expected 2028 | Government-backed UAM corridors |
Certification Progress Tracker
Aircraft certification is the critical gateway to commercial operations. Here is the current progress of each major eVTOL manufacturer through the certification process as of February 2026.
EHang
CAAC (China)
100%
World first — operating commercially in multiple Chinese cities
Joby Aviation
FAA (USA)
70%
Type Inspection Authorization phase; FAA pilot testing expected 2026; Dubai commercial launch 2026
Archer Aviation
FAA (USA)
80%
Final stage FAA Type Certification expected 2026; Abu Dhabi Q3 2026; US summer 2026 target pending FAA
BETA Technologies
FAA (USA)
65%
ALIA CX300 conventional variant targeting early 2026 certification; VTOL variant to follow
Eve Air Mobility
ANAC / FAA
45%
First prototype flight complete late 2025; certification target 2028
Volocopter
EASA (Europe)
55%
Targeting 2027 EASA certification for VoloCity
SkyDrive
Japan CAB
50%
Tokyo demo flights Feb 24–28, 2026; commercial launch target 2028
Vertical Aerospace
EASA / CAA
50%
VX4 progressing through EASA and CAA certification
Regulatory Framework
The regulatory landscape for eVTOL has made significant strides. Here are the key regulatory milestones shaping when and how eVTOL services will launch.
FAA Powered-Lift Rules Finalized
Establishes the regulatory framework for eVTOL pilot certification and operations, creating the legal pathway for commercial eVTOL flights in the US.
MOSAIC Rule Implementation
Pilot privileges effective October 2025; aircraft certification provisions take effect July 2026. Enables new pathways for eVTOL type certification.
DOT Advanced Air Mobility National Strategy
Ten-year federal roadmap (2026–2036) for integrating eVTOL into the national airspace system, covering infrastructure, safety, and community engagement.
Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act
Bipartisan congressional legislation introduced to speed FAA eVTOL certification timelines and ensure US competitiveness in advanced air mobility.
Market Forecast
Industry research published in February 2026 projects rapid growth in the eVTOL market over the coming decades.
Pre-2030
First Commercial Services
Multiple operators launching in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and US cities before the end of the decade
~7,500
Vehicles by 2036–2040
Projected eVTOL fleet size serving commercial routes across major global markets
145,000+
eVTOLs by 2050
Up to 45,000 commercial and ~100,000 private eVTOLs projected worldwide by mid-century
What Passengers Need to Know
Planning to be among the first eVTOL passengers? Here is what you should know about preparing for the era of electric air taxis.
How to Book
Booking will be through apps and platforms like eVTOL.Travel. Select your vertiport pickup and destination, choose a time, see the fare, and confirm. Many routes will offer departures every 5 to 15 minutes during peak hours. Early adopters who join the waitlist will get priority booking access when services launch in their city.
Where to Fly From
eVTOL flights will depart from vertiports — small, purpose-built facilities on rooftops, parking structures, airports, and dedicated ground locations. Dubai already has the Skyports DXV vertiport operational. Initial vertiports will be at major airports and downtown business districts, expanding to suburban areas, shopping centers, hospitals, and transit hubs.
What It Will Cost
Expect $3 to $8 per mile at launch, dropping to $1 to $2 per mile at scale. A typical airport-to-downtown trip of 10 to 15 miles will cost $50 to $120 initially and $15 to $30 at scale. That is comparable to premium ride-sharing but 4 to 6 times faster, saving 30 to 60 minutes on congested routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about eVTOL availability, launch dates, and what to expect.
When will I be able to fly in an eVTOL air taxi?
eVTOL air taxi flights are imminent. If you are in China, you can fly in an EHang EH216-S autonomous eVTOL right now — it has been operating commercially since late 2024. In Dubai, Joby Aviation is launching commercial air taxi service in Q2 2026, with vertiport infrastructure already complete. In Abu Dhabi, Archer Aviation is launching in Q3 2026. In the United States, the White House eIPP program could enable pre-certification passenger demo flights in select cities by mid-2026, with full FAA-certified commercial service from Joby and Archer expected by late 2026 or early 2027. European and Asian cities are targeting 2027–2028.
Which city will get eVTOL air taxi service first?
Guangzhou, China already has commercial eVTOL service with EHang EH216-S autonomous flights operating since late 2024. Dubai is the first major international city — Joby Aviation is launching in Q2 2026 from the completed Skyports DXV vertiport. Abu Dhabi follows in Q3 2026 with Archer Aviation. Through the US eIPP program, select American cities could see pre-certification demo flights by mid-2026. Full US commercial service in Los Angeles and New York is expected in 2027 following FAA Type Certification of the Joby S4 and Archer Midnight.
What is the eIPP program and how does it affect eVTOL availability?
The eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) is a White House initiative launching in March 2026 that selects cities and operators for pre-certification commercial eVTOL demonstrations. Operations can begin within 90 days of participant selection. Both Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation have confirmed engagement. This means pre-certification passenger flights in select US cities could happen by mid-2026 — before full FAA Type Certification is complete — making eVTOL air taxi service available sooner than many expected.
Why have eVTOL launch dates been delayed?
eVTOL timelines have shifted primarily due to the complexity of certifying an entirely new category of aircraft. However, major progress has accelerated in 2025–2026: the FAA finalized Powered-Lift rules in October 2024, MOSAIC pilot privileges took effect October 2025, and Congress introduced the Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act in February 2026 to speed certification. The DOT also released a comprehensive 2026–2036 Advanced Air Mobility National Strategy in December 2025. Delays have served passenger safety, and the regulatory framework is now largely in place.
What needs to happen before eVTOL services can launch?
The regulatory path is now largely clear. The FAA Powered-Lift rules are finalized (October 2024), MOSAIC pilot privileges are active (October 2025), and aircraft certification provisions take effect July 2026. Remaining steps include: completing FAA Type Certification (Joby at ~70%, Archer in final stage), obtaining air carrier certificates, building vertiport infrastructure (Dubai is already complete), establishing air traffic management for low-altitude urban airspace, training certified pilots, and securing local regulatory approvals. The eIPP program can enable pre-certification operations in parallel.
Will eVTOL air taxis be available in my city?
The first wave of eVTOL cities includes Dubai (Q2 2026), Abu Dhabi (Q3 2026), and select US cities through the eIPP program (mid-2026). Full commercial service is expected in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Singapore, Rome, and London by 2027–2028. Eve Air Mobility targets São Paulo and London for 2028, and SkyDrive targets Japan for 2028 after Tokyo demo flights in February 2026. By 2030, eVTOL services are expected to expand to 20+ additional cities. You can check our routes page for the latest city-specific information and join the waitlist for your city.
How much will it cost to ride an eVTOL when they launch?
Initial eVTOL ride pricing is expected to be $3 to $8 per mile, comparable to Uber Black or premium ride-sharing services. A typical 10 to 15 mile airport-to-downtown trip would cost $50 to $120 at launch. As the industry scales with more aircraft, operators, and autonomous technology by 2028 to 2030, per-mile costs are expected to drop to $1 to $2, making a similar trip cost $15 to $30. Visit our air taxi cost page for detailed pricing estimates by city and route.
Do I need special training or a license to ride an eVTOL?
No. Riding in an eVTOL air taxi is similar to taking a helicopter tour or charter flight. You simply book your flight, arrive at the vertiport, go through a brief safety briefing, and board the aircraft. The pilot handles all flight operations, and in autonomous eVTOL aircraft like the EHang EH216-S, the aircraft flies itself with remote oversight. No special training, license, or experience is needed to be a passenger.
What will the booking process be like for eVTOL flights?
Booking an eVTOL air taxi is expected to be as simple as using a ride-sharing app. Through platforms like eVTOL.Travel, you will select your pickup and destination vertiports, choose a departure time, see the estimated fare, and confirm your booking. Some operators may offer on-demand service with flights departing every 5 to 15 minutes on popular routes, while others will offer scheduled departures. Payment, check-in, and boarding processes will be streamlined and largely digital, similar to modern airline experiences.
How many eVTOL aircraft will be in service?
According to a February 2026 industry research report, the first commercial eVTOL services will launch before 2030 in multiple markets. The forecast projects approximately 7,500 eVTOL vehicles in operation by 2036–2040, scaling to up to 45,000 commercial eVTOLs and approximately 100,000 private eVTOLs by 2050. This rapid growth will drive down costs and expand service to hundreds of cities worldwide.
Do Not Miss the Launch
Join the eVTOL.Travel waitlist and be among the first to book when air taxi services launch in your city. Get priority access, route alerts, and exclusive early-bird pricing.