A flying taxi took a spin over San Francisco Thursday — and the Bay Area’s tech crowd was there to watch.
The small electric aircraft from Joby Aviation flew across San Francisco Bay near the Golden Gate Bridge during a demonstration flight that drew reporters and industry guests to the St. Francis Yacht Club.
The flight is part of the company’s push to launch electric air taxis — small vertical takeoff planes designed to carry passengers on short trips of roughly 10 to 50 miles.
Joby’s aircraft seats four passengers and uses six propellers. The company says rides could cost $100 to $170, roughly the price of an Uber Black, for trips like San Francisco to Napa.
Santa Cruz–based Joby Aviation is one of several companies racing to bring eVTOL aircraft — short for electric vertical takeoff and landing — to market. Rival Archer Aviation, based in San Jose, is developing similar aircraft.
Both companies are currently going through certification testing with federal regulators before launching commercial passenger service.
Joby was selected by the U.S. Department of Transportation to participate in a federal pilot program aimed at speeding up eVTOL deployment.
Commercial flights could begin this year in several states, including New York, Texas and Florida, with California expected to follow.
During Thursday’s demo, the aircraft took off from Oakland and flew across the bay at about 100 mph, circling near the Golden Gate Bridge before returning.
The company says the aircraft is quieter than a helicopter and designed to fly about 1,000 feet above cities, allowing passengers to bypass traffic for quick regional trips.
If the technology takes off, companies say air taxis could become a new commuting option in the Bay Area — especially for travelers willing to pay for a faster ride.
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