Flying taxis in cities

How far are we from flying taxis in cities?

No piloted air taxi carrying paying passengers in a city is shown in the sources reviewed. China has issued a type certificate for an autonomous two-seat eVTOL, the EH216-S, and has granted operators certificates for commercial low-altitude sightseeing in Guangzhou and Hefei. In the United States, Joby Aviation has started flight testing an FAA-conforming aircraft for type inspection. A Joby service in Dubai was planned for 2026, but the latest source reviewed, dated December 2025, said passenger flights had not started.

AI illustration · Illustrative scene, not a photograph of the specific device or experiment.
WHERE WE AREPilots

Close. Early pilots are running in the real world.

Limited commercial operations have been licensed in China for low-altitude sightseeing, and the certified aircraft, the EH216-S, is autonomous. Chinese authorities issued a type certificate for the EH216-S on 13 October 2023, and in 2025 two operators were granted certificates for commercial low-altitude tourism and urban sightseeing in Guangzhou and Hefei, with urban commuting to follow later (electrive, April 2025). No piloted air taxi carrying passengers for a fare in a city is shown in the sources reviewed. Joby's first FAA-conforming aircraft began flight testing in March 2026, flown by Joby pilots, and FAA pilots were expected to join later in 2026 for type inspection authorisation tests (CompositesWorld, March 2026). That places the piloted path in the pilot and certification stage rather than at scale.

The tech tree

Everything recorded on Vrulum that this future needs, oldest foundations at the top and the goal at the bottom. Lines show what each step requires.

What it takes: Flying taxis in cities Unlocked Being researched Locked
  1. 1856ManufacturingIndustrial steelmakingCommercial Unlocked.
  1. 1774ManufacturingPrecision machine tools and interchangeable partsCommercialRequires: Industrial steelmaking. Unlocked.
  1. 1967Modern systemsCar electronics and engine controlCommercial Unlocked.
  2. 3500 BCMovementThe wheel and axleCommercial Unlocked.
  3. 1712PowerThe steam engineCommercialRequires: Precision machine tools and interchangeable parts. Unlocked.
  4. 1859PowerLead-acid batteriesCommercial Unlocked.
  5. 1859PowerPetroleum refiningCommercial Unlocked.
  1. 1816ControlVehicle steeringCommercialRequires: The wheel and axle. Unlocked.
  2. 1827ControlClutches, gearboxes and differentialsCommercialRequires: Precision machine tools and interchangeable parts. Unlocked.
  3. 1902ControlVehicle brakesCommercialRequires: Car electronics and engine control. Unlocked.
  4. 1901ManufacturingAssembly-line mass productionCommercialRequires: Precision machine tools and interchangeable parts. Unlocked.
  5. 1952Modern systemsVehicle safety systemsCommercial Unlocked.
  6. 1956Modern systemsCatalytic convertersCommercial Unlocked.
  7. 1964Modern systemsSatellite navigation (GNSS)Commercial Unlocked.
  8. 1750MovementSprings and vehicle suspensionCommercialRequires: The wheel and axle. Unlocked.
  9. 1794MovementRolling bearingsCommercialRequires: Precision machine tools and interchangeable parts. Unlocked.
  10. 1844MovementVulcanised rubber and pneumatic tyresCommercialRequires: The wheel and axle. Unlocked.
  11. 1821PowerThe electric motorCommercialRequires: Industrial steelmaking. Unlocked.
  12. 1860PowerThe internal combustion engineCommercialRequires: The steam engine, Petroleum refining, Precision machine tools and interchangeable parts. Unlocked.
  13. 1976PowerLithium-ion batteriesCommercialRequires: Lead-acid batteries. Unlocked.
  1. 1769VehicleThe motor carCommercialRequires: The wheel and axle, Vulcanised rubber and pneumatic tyres, Springs and vehicle suspension, Rolling bearings, The internal combustion engine, The electric motor, Lead-acid batteries, Vehicle steering, Vehicle brakes, Clutches, gearboxes and differentials, Assembly-line mass production, Industrial steelmaking, Car electronics and engine control, Vehicle safety systems, Catalytic converters, Satellite navigation (GNSS), Lithium-ion batteries, Petroleum refining, Precision machine tools and interchangeable parts, The steam engine. Unlocked.
  1. 2018Electric vertical take-off and landing aircraftPilot and early commercial Unlocked.
  2. 2019Autonomous road vehiclesPilot and early commercialRequires: The motor car, Satellite navigation (GNSS). Unlocked.
  1. 2023Type certificate for a passenger eVTOL in ChinaDone Unlocked.
  2. 2025Commercial sightseeing air operations in ChinaDone Unlocked.
  3. 2026FAA-conforming piloted aircraft in type inspection testingIn progress Being researched.
  4. 2026Eight US pilot projects selected for eVTOL operationsDone Unlocked.
  5. Date not recordedRegular passenger-carrying flights in DubaiIn progress Being researched.
  6. Date not recordedRegular operations under the US pilot programmeNot started Locked.
  7. Date not recordedFAA type certification for a piloted passenger eVTOLNot started Locked.
  1. GoalFlying taxis in citiesGoalRequires: Electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, Autonomous road vehicles, Type certificate for a passenger eVTOL in China, Commercial sightseeing air operations in China, FAA-conforming piloted aircraft in type inspection testing, Eight US pilot projects selected for eVTOL operations, Regular passenger-carrying flights in Dubai, Regular operations under the US pilot programme, FAA type certification for a piloted passenger eVTOL. Locked.

The road so far

3 of 7 steps done, 2 in progress.

  1. Done · Oct 2023Type certificate for a passenger eVTOL in China

    CAAC issued a type certificate for EHang's two-seat EH216-S on 13 October 2023. The aircraft is autonomous, with no pilot on board. [6]

  2. Done · Apr 2025Commercial sightseeing air operations in China

    Air operator certificates were granted to Guangdong EHang General Aviation and Hefei HeYi Aviation. The certificates cover low-altitude tourism, urban sightseeing and other commercial human-carrying flights at operation sites in Guangzhou and Hefei. Urban commuting is not yet permitted and is to follow later, with no timeline given. [7]

  3. In progress · Mar 2026FAA-conforming piloted aircraft in type inspection testing

    Joby began power-on testing of its first FAA-conforming aircraft for type inspection authorisation in November 2025. Its first flights in March 2026 were flown by Joby pilots. FAA pilots were expected to join later in 2026. [4][5]

  4. Done · Mar 2026Eight US pilot projects selected for eVTOL operations

    The FAA and US Department of Transportation selected eight projects for the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program. The projects span 26 states. [1]

  5. In progressRegular passenger-carrying flights in Dubai

    Joby signed an agreement with Dubai's Road and Transport Authority in February 2024 and planned four initial vertiports. In the December 2025 source, passenger flights had not started. The UAE general manager said Joby is working toward passenger flights in 2026. He described a sequence of test flights, proving runs, then non-paying passenger flights from completed vertiports before a full commercial launch. [2][3]

  6. Not startedRegular operations under the US pilot programme

    Flight operations under the US pilot programme could begin as early as summer 2026. No source reviewed confirms that regular flights have started. [1]

  7. Not startedFAA type certification for a piloted passenger eVTOL

    The FAA will use type inspection authorisation test data to decide whether to issue type certification, which is needed for commercial operation. No type certificate for a piloted passenger eVTOL is shown in the sources reviewed. [4]

Why it matters

Air taxis could move passengers across congested cities without using road space, and they could link airports, city centres and suburbs. Whether this happens depends on certification of piloted aircraft, approved landing sites, air traffic integration and public acceptance of noise and safety. Dates set by companies have moved before, so the record of certified aircraft and approved operations is a better guide than announced launch years.

What stands in the way

  • Piloted aircraft must complete FAA type inspection testing, and FAA pilots have not yet been reported flying the aircraft for those tests.
  • The certified aircraft in China is autonomous, two-seat and short range, with a reported range limit of about 35 km (22 miles). Longer piloted passenger flights need different performance.
  • Landing sites (vertiports) must be built and approved. Dubai's four initial sites are planned with Skyports, and no source reviewed confirms that they are complete.
  • Airspace integration and air traffic rules for piloted passenger flights in cities are not set out in the sources reviewed.
  • Public acceptance, noise and safety approval for flights over city centres are not evidenced in the sources reviewed.

Published forecasts

What others have predicted. These are their estimates, not ours.

WhoForecastTimeframeMade
Joby AviationLaunch of air taxi service in Dubai by early 2026, with initial operations possible as early as 2025. [2]202611 Feb 2024
Anthony Khoury, Joby Aviation UAE general managerJoby is working toward passenger flights in Dubai in 2026, described as the company's target. [3]202628 Dec 2025
FAA and US Department of TransportationFlight operations under the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program could begin as early as summer 2026. [1]20269 Mar 2026

Signals to watch

  • The FAA completes type inspection authorisation testing with FAA pilots at Joby's Marina, California facility.
  • The Dubai Road and Transport Authority confirms the first vertiport is open and passenger flights have started.
  • US pilot programme projects report regular flights and publish operating data.
  • EHang or another operator extends paid urban flights in China beyond sightseeing to urban commuting.
  • A piloted eVTOL receives a type certificate from the FAA, EASA or CAAC.

Sources

  1. news
    FAA, DOT Choose First eVTOL Trial Projects
    Matt Ryan. AVweb, 9 Mar 2026.
  2. company announcement
    Joby to Launch Air Taxi Service in UAE
    Joby Aviation, 11 Feb 2024.
  3. news
    First Air Taxi Service to Launch in Dubai in 2026
    Elan Head. IEEE Spectrum, 28 Dec 2025.
  4. company announcement
    Joby Begins Power-On Testing of First Conforming Aircraft, Enters Final Stage of Type Certification Process
    Joby Aviation, 6 Nov 2025.
  5. news
    Joby's first FAA-conforming eVTOL aircraft has taken flight
    CompositesWorld, 19 Mar 2026.
  6. news
    China Issues the World's First eVTOL Aircraft Type Certificate to EHang's EH216-S Autonomous Vehicle
    Charles Alcock. Aviation International News, 13 Oct 2023.
  7. news
    Ehang receives green light for commercial VTOL operation in China
    Chris Randall. electrive, 1 Apr 2025.

Last reviewed 21 Oct 2026.