"Air taxi" in New York means two things today. One is available now: helicopter flights between Manhattan and JFK or Newark. The other is coming: electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft from companies such as Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation, which are still working through FAA certification.
This guide covers both: what you can book now, where the electric air taxis stand, and what to expect when they arrive.
Key Takeaways
- You can fly between Manhattan and JFK or Newark today. BLADE offers flights of about 5 minutes, from $195 per seat.
- No electric air taxi carries paying passengers in NYC yet. As of October 2026, neither Joby nor Archer has an FAA type certificate.
- Joby completed its acquisition of BLADE's passenger business in August 2025. Joby intends to bring its aircraft into BLADE operations over time, after certification.
Exploring NYC's Electric Air Taxi Service
Electric air taxis are eVTOL aircraft: they take off and land vertically like a helicopter and fly on electric power. In New York, the two names most often linked to the idea are Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation.
Joby Aviation. Joby's aircraft seats one pilot and four passengers and is designed for speeds of up to 200 mph. In April 2026, Joby flew a week-long demonstration campaign in New York City. Its aircraft departed JFK and landed across the city's heliport network, including Downtown Skyport and the West 30th Street and East 34th Street heliports. Joby has partnerships with Delta Air Lines and Uber for its New York plans.
Archer Aviation. Archer's aircraft is called Midnight. Archer says it closed Phase 3 of the FAA's four-phase type certification process in April 2026 and is now in Phase 4, formal testing and analysis.
Neither company has a launch date for paid passenger service in New York. Both depend on certification first.
NYC air taxi services today: helicopter transfers from Manhattan to JFK
You do not have to wait to fly to the airport. BLADE offers scheduled by-the-seat flights between Manhattan and JFK or Newark. Flights take about 5 minutes, from $195 per seat.
How it works:
- Before the flight: you start at a BLADE lounge in Manhattan. BLADE Lounge West is at the West 30th Street Heliport, BLADE Lounge East is at the East 34th Street Heliport, and BLADE Downtown is at the Wall St. Heliport.
- At the airport: a BLADE vehicle takes you to your departure terminal.
- Arriving in NYC: a BLADE vehicle meets you at arrivals and drives you to the helicopter. BLADE tracks your commercial flight and adjusts your departure time within the service window.
- Baggage: one carry-on (22 in x 16 in x 9 in) plus one personal item, up to 25 lbs combined per person. Charters can take more.
BLADE is an air charter broker. All flights are operated by FAA-licensed carriers.
Inside the Electric Aircraft: What to Expect
Joby's published design gives a sense of the cabin: one pilot, four passengers and a quiet, all-electric flight. Joby lists a noise footprint of 45 dBA in cruise, measured from 1,640 ft (500 m), and 65 dBA at landing, measured from 330 ft (100 m).
Exact cabin dimensions, luggage space and on-board features for commercial service have not been published. Expect details when the aircraft is certified and service is announced.
Pilot Requirements for NYC Air Taxis
Electric air taxis are powered-lift aircraft under FAA rules. The FAA issued its final rule on powered-lift pilot certification and operations in October 2024. It was published in the Federal Register on November 21, 2024, took effect on January 21, 2025, and runs for 10 years as a Special Federal Aviation Regulation.
Joby's aircraft is designed to fly with a pilot on board.
Reducing Travel Time Across NYC
The airport run is where flying saves the most time. Traffic between Manhattan and JFK or Newark can take hours. A BLADE flight takes about 5 minutes, plus the short drive between the helipad and your terminal.
Electric air taxis are expected to follow the same corridors. Joby's 2026 demonstration flew between JFK and the existing Manhattan heliports, and Joby describes those sites as tracing the commercial routes it envisions for New York.
Manhattan to JFK air taxi routes: how future eVTOLs will compare to helicopters
- Routes: the same airport corridors, using the same Manhattan heliports.
- Noise: eVTOL makers design for lower noise than a conventional helicopter. Joby publishes 45 dBA in cruise from 1,640 ft.
- Availability: helicopters fly today. eVTOLs are waiting on certification.
- Booking: Joby and Uber announced in September 2025 a plan to make BLADE flights bookable in the Uber app.
Pricing and Affordability
The only Manhattan air taxi price you can book today is BLADE's: from $195 per seat between Manhattan and JFK or Newark. Joby has not published fares for New York, so any figure you see for electric air taxi pricing is a projection.
Electric air taxis vs helicopters: cost expectations for NYC travelers
Today's helicopter service is sold per seat, so passengers share the aircraft and the cost. A private charter costs more and departs when you choose. Until electric air taxis have published fares, compare against those two options.
Delta Air Lines' Investment in Air Taxis
Delta Air Lines is a Joby partner in New York. Joby describes the goal as a single journey that connects ground transportation and air travel, through its partnerships with Delta and Uber. Commercial details will follow certification.
Noise Levels and Environmental Impact
Joby's published figures are 45 dBA at cruise from 1,640 ft (500 m) and 65 dBA at landing from 330 ft (100 m). Joby describes its New York flights as zero operating emissions, since the aircraft flies on electric power.
Regulatory Approvals and Safety
Three steps matter for New York:
- Air carrier rules. In a final rule published July 26, 2023 (effective September 25, 2023), the FAA added powered-lift to the air carrier definitions, so the right sets of rules apply to commercial powered-lift operations.
- Pilot and operating rules. The powered-lift SFAR took effect January 21, 2025.
- Aircraft certification. Each aircraft type needs an FAA type certificate. As of October 2026, Joby is in the fifth and final stage of FAA type certification, and Archer is in Phase 4 of four.
In March 2026, the DOT and FAA selected eight projects for the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP). One, led by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, includes eVTOL passenger operations at the Manhattan heliport.
Competing Companies in the Air Taxi Market
Joby and Archer are the two companies most active in New York. Joby now owns BLADE's passenger business, which it acquired in August 2025, and intends to integrate its eVTOL aircraft into BLADE operations over time once certified. Until then, BLADE continues to arrange flights on conventional helicopters.
For the differences between the two aircraft types, see air taxi vs helicopter.
Future of Urban Air Mobility in NYC
New York's heliports are being prepared for electric aircraft. Led by the NYC Economic Development Corporation, with Skyports Infrastructure and Vertiports by Atlantic, the city's heliport infrastructure will be electrified ahead of commercial air taxi service. The eIPP project at the Manhattan heliport is another step.
Paid electric service will start only after certification. When it does, it is expected to use the same airport corridors that helicopters fly today.
Bottom Line: NYC Air Taxi Services: Fast, Affordable Travel from Manhattan to JFK
If you need to get from Manhattan to JFK or Newark now, a helicopter is the air taxi you can book: about 5 minutes, from $195 per seat with BLADE. Electric air taxis are coming, but no date is set, and they are waiting on FAA certification.
FAQs: NYC Air Taxi Services
What is the expected launch year for NYC's electric air taxi service?
There is no confirmed date. Service depends on FAA type certification, which neither Joby nor Archer had as of October 2026.
How long does it take to travel from Manhattan to JFK using an air taxi?
BLADE helicopter flights between Manhattan and JFK take about 5 minutes. Electric air taxi flight times will be published when service launches.
How much does a Manhattan to JFK air taxi cost?
BLADE flights between Manhattan and JFK or Newark start from $195 per seat. Electric air taxi fares have not been published.
What are the noise levels of these electric air taxis?
Joby lists 45 dBA in cruise, measured from 1,640 ft, and 65 dBA at landing, measured from 330 ft.
What kind of training do pilots need to operate these air taxis?
Powered-lift pilots are covered by the FAA's powered-lift SFAR, which took effect January 21, 2025 and sets pilot certification, training and operating requirements.
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