You’re one step closer to hopping into a flying taxi. Joby Aviation, the American company behind the all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has delivered its first production model to Dubai. This delivery marks the start of real-world testing in the city as Joby prepares to launch its commercial air taxi service in early 2026.
Dubai is positioning itself as a hub for advanced air mobility. Last year, it granted Joby a six-year exclusive agreement, offering regulatory and financial support through its Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). That deal, signed at the World Governments Summit, gives Joby a strong foothold in one of the world’s most ambitious cities regarding future transport.
Initial operations are planned from four key vertical ports, including major locations like Dubai International Airport and the luxury destination of Palm Jumeirah. This strategic step will likely see flying taxis buzzing over the city skyline sooner than expected.
Testing begins in Dubai and the US
This is more than just a delivery — it signals that the air taxi dream is getting ready for takeoff. Joby has been developing its unique aircraft since 2009. The aircraft is designed with six electric rotors and can seat five people, including the pilot. It takes off like a helicopter and then flies forward using tilt rotors, reaching up to 200mph and travelling as far as 150 miles on a single charge. According to the company, it’s also 100 times quieter than traditional aircraft.
With Dubai operations underway, Joby is beginning a critical testing phase in the United States. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is set to start a procedure called Type Inspection Authorisation (TIA), where FAA pilots test the aircraft. TIA is the final step before the company is cleared to launch passenger flights in the US.
Paul Sciarra, chair of Joby’s board, says this dual momentum — flight tests in Dubai and FAA inspections at home — represents a major turning point. “I think these two things shift people’s thinking from ‘This is cool, but far off’ to ‘Wow, this is happening now,’” he said.
Demo flights will begin soon in Dubai along future routes, allowing you to see how these aircraft will operate in practice. Full commercial services could begin by the end of this year or early 2026 if all goes to plan.
Big goals and hot challenges ahead
Still, the road — or sky — to commercial service isn’t simple. Sciarra admits the high temperatures in Dubai, which often exceed 110°F (around 43°C), create engineering challenges. Keeping the cabin cool will be essential for passenger comfort. The company must train ground crews and mechanics before the first paying passengers climb aboard.
“We’re getting ever closer to the moment when you’ll be able to book a flight or look up and see one of these aircraft overhead,” said Sciarra. “And that moment is not years— just months away.”
Joby is also ramping up production at its facility in Dayton, Ohio. It now has five test aircraft and has even delivered a second aircraft to the US Air Force as part of its defence contracts. One aircraft version is being built with a hybrid hydrogen-electric power system.
So far, Joby has raised around US$1 billion from investors — including US$750 million from Toyota. However, despite the hype, the company has struggled with income. It reported zero revenue in the first quarter of 2025. That’s why it’s placing big hopes on Dubai’s launch to prove the model works before expanding to cities like New York, Los Angeles, and parts of Florida.
“The big external question now is: how many markets can we launch in, and how soon?” Sciarra said.
As the countdown continues, you’re not just watching the future of air travel — you’re about to be a part of it.
