New York
Three main companies are at the forefront of drone taxi services in New York: Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, and Volocopter. Each has made significant strides, with distinct approaches and timelines.
Joby Aviation has emerged as a leader, having conducted the first electric air taxi flight in NYC on November 12, 2023, from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. Their aircraft, a piloted, four-passenger eVTOL, boasts zero operating emissions and can fly up to 100 miles on a single charge, covering 99% of potential trips across NYC’s five boroughs. The expected travel time from Manhattan to JFK is just 7 minutes, compared to over an hour by car, making it a game-changer for airport commutes.
At 1640 feet altitude, the aircraft operates at 45.2 A-weighted decibels (dBA), quieter than a typical conversation, addressing concerns about urban noise pollution.
Joby is collaborating with Delta Air Lines, the Port Authority of New York, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to develop infrastructure at JFK and LGA airports. This partnership is crucial for integrating air taxis into existing transport networks.
Joby is in the third of five stages of FAA certification, with commercial service targeted for 2025. They have already flown over 30,000 miles with their full-scale prototype since 2017, demonstrating operational readiness.
Archer Aviation is another key player, teaming up with United Airlines to launch air taxi services in NYC. Their aircraft, “Midnight,” is an all-electric eVTOL that seats 4 passengers plus a pilot and is equipped with 12 engines. Archer has secured Part 135 certification from the FAA in 2024, which allows them to operate as an air carrier, but they are still awaiting FAA Type Certification for their aircraft, a critical step for commercial operations.
Archer promises 5 to 15-minute flights from Manhattan to JFK or LaGuardia, significantly reducing airport commute times.
Beyond United Airlines, Archer works with Atlantic Aviation, Signature Aviation, Skyports, Modern Aviation, and Air Pegasus. They also have manufacturing sites in California and Georgia, supporting scalability.
Archer has announced similar air taxi networks in Los Angeles and San Francisco, indicating a broader urban mobility strategy.
Volocopter, based in Germany, has also made inroads in NYC, completing its first flight test on November 13, 2023, using the crewed Volocopter 2X at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. They showcased multiple eVTOL aircraft in a public event, proving suitability for urban air mobility in busy cities.
Their commercial aircraft, VoloCity, is designed for urban transport, and Volocopter expects to receive final certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in 2024. They are also in the FAA validation process, submitted in 2020.
Volocopter has a robust history of U.S. flights since 2018, including in Las Vegas, Oshkosh, Dallas-Fort Worth, Tampa, and now NYC, with over 2,000 successful test flights globally.
While specific launch dates for NYC are not explicitly stated, Volocopter aims to launch commercial services globally within the next few years, suggesting potential operations in NYC by 2025.
