JOBY Flying Taxi Makes History at Dubai Airshow: What You Need to Know

Neil Day

26th November 2025

Aerospace & Aviation

6 min read

What Is JOBY Aviation?

Founded in 2009 in California, JOBY Aviation is a pioneering aerospace company developing all-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. With a mission to "save a billion people an hour a day," JOBY is focused on revolutionising urban transportation. Their aircraft is designed to offer fast, quiet, and emissions-free travel over congested cities and regions.

Backed by prominent investors and partnerships, including Toyota and Delta Airlines, JOBY is among the leaders in the emerging Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market. As of 2025, they are aiming to be the first company to commercially launch piloted eVTOL air taxis in the UAE and the US.

What Is the JOBY Air Taxi?

The JOBY air taxi is an all-electric, five-seat aircraft capable of flying 150 miles on a single charge, at speeds up to 200 mph. It takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter but flies like a fixed-wing plane, combining convenience with efficiency.

At the 2025 Dubai Airshow, JOBY made history by completing the first piloted eVTOL flight between two public airports, showcasing its aircraft's capability, safety, and real-world use case. The demonstration marked a significant step toward the operational rollout of air taxis across the UAE .

The aircraft aims to reduce a 45-minute drive across congested city roads to just 10 minutes in the air, with near-silent operation both on take-off and in flight.

When Will JOBY’s Air Taxi Launch in Dubai?

According to a recent press release, JOBY plans to launch commercial air taxi services in Dubai by early 2026, with trial operations expected to begin as early as 2025. The company signed an agreement with the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), giving JOBY exclusive rights to operate in the emirate for six years.

This initiative is part of a broader push by the UAE to integrate urban air mobility into its future-forward infrastructure, including smart cities and AI-enabled transport hubs.

How Much Will It Cost to Use the Flying Taxi?

Although exact pricing hasn’t been confirmed, estimates suggest JOBY flights may initially cost around $3 to $6 per mile, comparable to premium ride-hailing services like Uber Black.

As the technology scales and battery efficiency improves, JOBY and partners anticipate prices could drop, making urban air travel accessible to a broader population.

How Many JOBY Aircraft Are Being Built?

JOBY is scaling up production at its pilot manufacturing line in California and recently announced plans to expand production through a new facility in Ohio. Their target is hundreds of aircraft annually, ramping up to thousands as global demand increases.

The agreement with Dubai alone will likely require a fleet of dozens of aircraft to serve the emirate’s initial routes, which will include connections between airports, business hubs, and residential areas.

What Does This Mean for Jobs in Aerospace & Aviation?

The launch of flying taxis has major implications for staffing in the Aerospace & Aviation industry. Demand will grow for:

· eVTOL pilots (initially piloted, later autonomous)

· Maintenance technicians specialising in electric propulsion

· Battery engineers

· Urban air mobility infrastructure planners

· Customer support roles for ground operations

Recruitment companies like VHR play a critical role in sourcing top global talent for pioneering technologies like eVTOL. With more countries exploring flying taxis, skilled workers in aerospace, electrical engineering, avionics, and AI systems will see increased opportunities worldwide.

Learn more about VHR’s Aerospace & Aviation recruitment services.

The Future of Urban Air Mobility

Flying taxis are no longer science fiction. They are being designed, tested, and now—demonstrated publicly. With regulatory backing, strong commercial partnerships, and proven flight technology, JOBY is leading the way toward a new era in transport.

For countries like the UAE that embrace innovation, this could mean cleaner, faster, and more efficient movement of people across cities. And for workers in technical industries, it’s a sign that new career paths are about to take flight.