Joby Aviation was founded in September 2009 in California, and spent years exploring different elements of electric aviation before coming up with its own design for an electric air taxi, with designs unveiled in 2015. Joby Aviation then began building full-scale prototypes and, in 2022, started making regular eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) test flights.
The partnership dates back to 2022, and with the project now well underway, we take a look at ten things to know about Delta Air Lines' partnership with Joby Aviation and the electric air taxi services they plan to launch together.
10 An innovative partnership
Excitement all round
When the partnership between the two companies was announced in October 2022, Delta Air Lines' CEO, Ed Bastian, showcased the carrier's excitement, saying,
“Delta always looks forward and embraces opportunities to lead the future, and we’ve found in Joby a partner that shares our pioneering spirit and commitment to delivering innovative, seamless experiences that are better for our customers, their journeys, and our world. This is a groundbreaking opportunity for Delta to deliver a time-saving, uniquely premium home-to-airport solution for customers in key markets we’ve been investing and innovating in for many years.”
Joby Aviation was equally excited about the partnership, with the company's Founder and CEO, JoeBen Bevirt, adding,
“We share Delta’s unwavering commitment to delivering seamless and sustainable journeys to customers. Their history of innovation, along with their vast operational expertise and leadership on climate change, make them incredible partners for Joby, and it’s an honor to be working alongside them.”
9 A large investment for Delta Air Lines
Up to $200 million
8 Launching in New York and Los Angeles
Both are major hubs for Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines plans to launch its electric air taxi services together with Joby Aviation in both New York and Los Angeles. The carrier has claimed that its passengers will be able to travel from New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to downtown Manhattan in just seven minutes, while services between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and downtown Los Angeles will take eight minutes.
Delta Air Lines is the largest airline at New York John F. Kennedy International Airport, with a 29.6% market share, putting it ahead of both JetBlue (26.3%) and American Airlines (12.8%), giving the carrier a significant market for its electric air taxi services. The SkyTeam member is also the largest airline at Los Angeles International Airport:
- Delta Air Lines - 19.8%
- American Airlines - 15.0%
- United Airlines - 14.8%
- Southwest Airlines - 9.5%
- Alaska Airlines - 6.5%.
7 Four-passenger capacity & speeds of up to 200 mph
Cutting journey times for more passengers
Each of Joby Aviation's electric air taxis will be able to comfortably accommodate up to four passengers, providing an exclusive service. This is the same as rival Archer's eclectic air taxi, which will also be able to seat four passengers.
Joby Aviation's electric air taxis will be able to travel at speeds of up to 200 mph, cutting journey times to a matter of minutes between major international airports and their respective downtown areas. This will allow passengers to avoid having to take alternative transport methods such as the train or car, which can prove to be significantly more time-consuming.
6 Accessible price points
Comparable to existing options
Passengers would be forgiven for assuming that such advanced technology might come with a hefty price tag. However, Delta Air Lines has stated that its electric air taxi services, offered in partnership with Joby Aviation, will be offered to its passengers at a price that is comparable to existing premium rideshare options.
5 Maximum flight time per charge
Powered by six electric motors and four batteries
All of Joby Aviation's electric air taxis will be powered by six electric motors and four batteries. With safety in mind, this ensures that the eVTOL aircraft will never be without power. As battery technology develops, it is likely that journey times between each charge will be extended.
4 Reduced noise pollution
Barely audible overhead
3 Testing is currently underway
The electric air taxi is awaiting certification
Joby Aviation began the final phase of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) certification program in December 2024. To date, the company's innovative electric taxi has completed more than 33,000 miles of electric flight.
At the time of the final test phase, Joby Aviation's Founder and CEO, JoeBen Bevirt, went on to say,
“This milestone demonstrates Joby’s continued industry leadership and is a reflection of the maturity of our test program and the rigorous company testing we’ve already completed. As well as continuing the for-credit testing of components, aerostructures and systems that is already underway, we are targeting the start of TIA flight testing in 2025 with our first FAA-conforming aircraft, which is currently being built at our facility in Marina, California.”
2 Zero operating emissions
Fewer life-cycle emissions than an electric car
There is, of course, a certain amount of emissions that come from producing the electric air taxi and from charging it, but Joby Aviation maintains that over its entire life cycle, it will produce fewer emissions than the average electric car.
1 Delta Air Lines' wider sustainability initiatives
Net-zero carbon emissions by 2050
Delta Air Lines' partnership with Joby Aviation to offer electric air taxi services ties into its wider sustainability initiatives. As part of its multi-pronged approach, the carrier is currently working on projects such as using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for at least 10% of its flights by 2030, electrifying its ground vehicles (such as baggage-handling trucks), and investing in a more efficient fleet.
Delta Air Lines is also working to reduce the use of single-use plastics within its operation. For example, in 2023, the carrier began testing new paper cups inflight, which when introduced across the entire fleet, will eliminate more than seven million lbs of single-use plastics onboard per year.
