Joby Aviation completes first eVTOL flight between two US airports

Joby Aviation, Inc., a pioneer in all-electric air taxis, has taken a major step toward bringing its service to market by successfully completing its first flight between two US airports.

The aircraft flew from Marina Municipal Airport (OAR) to Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) in California, demonstrating its ability to operate safely within Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-controlled airspace alongside other aircraft.

The achievement is seen as a crucial milestone in Joby’s journey toward commercial readiness, showcasing progress in safety, operations, certification, and integration with existing air traffic systems.

The company said the flight reflects the type of real-world service it aims to provide when operations begin for the public.

The 12-minute trip covered 10 nautical miles, including a five-minute hold pattern at Monterey to allow spacing for another arriving airliner.

The piloted aircraft executed a vertical takeoff, transitioned into wingborne flight, integrated into controlled airspace, and completed a vertical landing. This marks the first time a piloted electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi has flown between two public airports.

The successful test not only validated Joby’s aircraft performance but also its ability to conduct mobile flight operations away from its home base in Marina. The company’s team managed full ground support and coordination, proving operational readiness for future commercial deployment.

“Successfully flying from Marina to Monterey showcased how our aircraft can operate as part of the broader transportation network,” said Didier Papadopoulos, President of Aircraft OEM at Joby. “Our flight testing has repeatedly demonstrated performance across a range of conditions, and this step shows we’re preparing to deliver reliable service from day one.”

The demonstration offered valuable data on human factors and operational procedures in controlled airspace. At Monterey, Joby’s aircraft followed standard air traffic protocols, sequencing with other aircraft and maintaining a holding pattern to accommodate an airliner — a critical requirement for FAA certification.

The flight comes as Joby advances toward FAA approval. The company has begun final assembly of its first aircraft for Type Inspection Authorization testing, one of the last major steps before certification. Flight testing with FAA pilots is expected to begin early next year.

Joby, which recently announced plans to acquire Blade Air Mobility’s passenger business, intends to launch commercial services in major US cities such as Los Angeles and New York once certification is complete. To date, the company’s fleet has logged more than 40,000 miles of test flights.