Joby Aviation has received type certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its S4 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft β the first of its kind to receive full commercial certification β paving the way for the launch of commercial air taxi services in the United States.
The Joby S4 can carry four passengers plus a pilot at speeds of up to 320 km/h with a range of 241 km, producing less than 45 decibels of sound in cruise β significantly quieter than a conventional helicopter. The aircraft uses six electric motors with tilting rotors that transition between helicopter-like vertical flight and efficient fixed-wing cruise.
Joby plans to launch commercial services in New York, Los Angeles, and Dubai in partnership with Toyota and Delta Air Lines, with fares expected to start at around $3 per mile β comparable to Uber Black pricing. The company aims to reduce fares to under $1 per mile at scale.
