Electric air taxis will soon take to the skies across the United States, thanks to a new program launched by the Department of Transportation aimed at fast-tracking the testing of the aircraft.
The program, which launched on September 15, will facilitate public-private partnerships between state and city governments and electric air taxi companies to form new regulations for operating the aircraft—also known as electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft or eVTOL.
The FAA will oversee the program and says that at least five pilot projects will operate across the U.S. The program will last for three years from the launch of the first test project.
Individual projects under the program will test both piloted and unmanned eVTOL aircraft across a spectrum of operations, from short-range air taxis to long-range fixed-wing flights, as well as cargo and logistics. Officials say potential benefits to air taxis use include expanded connectivity to rural communities, reduced traffic in crowded cities, and enhanced medical transport options.
The program follows an executive order President Trump signed in June to accelerate new aviation technologies, including drones, eVTOLs, and supersonic jets. “The next great technological revolution in aviation is here,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said about the eVTOL program. “The United States will lead the way, and doing so will cement America’s status as a global leader in transportation innovation.”
For travelers, electric air taxis could mean faster transfers to and from U.S. airports in some of the busiest cities across the country. Earlier this year, United Airlines announced plans for a future air taxi network in the New York City area with Archer Aviation that would shuttle passengers between Manhattan and the area’s airports in as little as five minutes.
Archer Aviation said it will join the FAA’s program, noting that it hopes to demonstrate its air taxis can operate safely and quietly. “This is a landmark moment for our industry and our country,” Adam Goldstein, Archer’s founder and CEO, said about the launch of the FAA program. “These early flights will help cement American leadership in advanced aviation and set the stage for scaled commercial operations in the U.S. and beyond.”
Another eVOTL company, Joby Aviation, will also join the new test program. The company, which has an agreement with Delta to explore home-to-airport transport, hopes to have its air taxi aircraft FAA-certified this year and ready for testing with FAA pilots in early 2026. “We’ve spent more than 15 years building the aircraft technology and operational capabilities that are defining advanced aerial mobility, and we’re ready to bring our services to communities,” said Greg Bowles, Joby’s chief policy officer. “We look forward to demonstrating our aircraft’s maturity and delivering early operations in cities and states nationwide.”
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