SANTA CRUZ, CA, Aug 18, 2025 – Flying from Marina (OAR) to Monterey (MRY), California, a piloted eVTOL marked a first in U.S. aviation by operating between two public airports under FAA-controlled airspace. Joby Aviation’s flight demonstrated integration with conventional aircraft, advancing safety, air traffic control , certification, and commercial service readiness. The milestone highlights how electric air taxis could soon connect regional hubs as part of everyday travel.
Joby’s flight time from OAR to MRY was approximately 12 minutes over 10 nautical miles, including 5 minutes in a hold pattern at MRY for air traffic spacing. The piloted flight included vertical takeoff, transition to wing-borne flight, integration into the airspace around MRY, and vertical landing. This flight is the first instance of a piloted electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxi operating between two public airports. The event also showed the team’s capacity to conduct mobile flight testing and provide ground support at locations away from home base in Marina.
“Successfully flying from Marina to Monterey showcased operations of our aircraft integrated in the broader transportation network and further validated its performance to ensure we’re prepared for service on day one,” said Didier Papadopoulos, president of aircraft OEM at Joby. “For years, our flight testing has validated our aircraft’s capabilities, and we’ve done this across a wide range of environmental conditions. As part of the natural progression of our flight test program, it was time to venture further, and there was no better place to visit first than our neighbors in Monterey.”
The flight tests also generated data on the human factors involved in operating the aircraft at airports and within national airspace. Joby’s ability to integrate into controlled airspace was demonstrated at MRY, where the aircraft sequenced with other traffic and entered a holding pattern to allow an arriving airliner. The company’s aircraft systems, along with pilot certification and training, followed standard air traffic control protocols as any airlines. The milestone marks a key step in certification efforts, as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules require eVTOL aircraft to prove they can safely operate in shared airspace by flying between public airports, showing readiness for deployment.
Following its planned acquisition of Blade Air Mobility’s passenger business, the flight demonstration adds to ongoing commercial preparation. Joby has logged more than 40,000 miles across its fleet and is completing final assembly of its first aircraft for FAA Type Inspection Authorization testing, expected to begin with agency pilots next year. Once certified, the company plans to introduce commercial service in Los Angeles and New York City.
Source: Joby Aviation
About Joby
Joby Aviation, founded in 2009 and headquartered in Santa Cruz, CA, develops electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for urban air mobility. Its piloted, five-seat aircraft is designed for short-range passenger transport, offering a range of approximately 100 miles and a top speed of 200 mph. The company serves the aerospace, defense, and air mobility sectors, with operations spanning aircraft development, fleet services, and parts manufacturing across CA and OH. Joby went public in 2021 and is targeting commercial launch by 2026, pending FAA certification. In 2024, the company reported approximately $130,000 in revenue, reflecting its pre-commercial status, and continues to invest in R&D and production capacity. Joby also supports international operations, including its first aircraft delivery to Dubai, as part of its global rollout strategy.