California's Joby Aviation’s futuristic S4 eVTOL is closer than ever to passenger service
Published on Sep 10, 2025 at 9:00 AM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid
Last updated on Sep 10, 2025 at 12:29 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Ben Thompson
Joby Aviation’s futuristic S4 eVTOL air taxi is getting very close to launching its passenger service.
The Californian-based company was founded in 2009 by JoeBen Bevirt.
In the decade-and-a-half since, it’s gone from strength to strength.
And now its gearing up to launch its S4 eVTOL air taxi passenger service.
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Joby Aviation’s S4 eVTOL is planning to launch in LA and New York first
There are plenty of names kicking around in the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) space, like the Archer Midnight air taxi that recently took to the skies in Dubai for the first time, or the Jetson ONE eVTOL that showcased its capabilities in a race back in May.
However, when it comes to breaking new ground, Joby Aviation is definitely one to watch.
Earlier this year, it became the first company to achieve multiple pilot-on-board eVTOL transitions.
It also recently announced that it had completed the first piloted eVTOL air taxi flights between two public airports.
In a statement highlighting the S4 eVTOL’s ‘market readiness’, the company said it had ‘successfully operated with other aircraft in FAA-controlled airspace by completing its first flight between two US airports, Marina and Monterey, California’.
And Joby Aviation isn’t resting on its laurels, last month it began the final assembly of its first aircraft designed for Type Inspection Authorization flight testing – a crucial step on the path to FAA certification.
“Every component, every system, and every test we have completed over the past 15 years has led us to this point,” President of Aircraft OEM Didier Papadopoulos said.
“We are now bringing it all together on the first of several aircraft that will be used for the final phase of FAA flight testing. TIA is the final major step in the process of certification and puts us within direct line of sight of a fully certified aircraft ready for commercial operations.”
The company says it plans on starting FFA-piloted test flights next year to complete its certification.
After which its aiming to launch its passenger service in Los Angeles and New York City before expanding to other cities throughout 2026.
Taking a closer look at the S4 air taxi
The Joby Aviation S4 eVTOL air taxi is powered by six electric motors, each with a single propellor, which points skywards when hovering or stationary.
When the time comes to take-off the blades rotate forward, offering a cruising speed of around 200mph.
The S4 eVTOL’s electric motors generate about 316 horsepower each, and the aircraft can carry up to four passengers with a maximum payload of 1,000lbs.
It has a range of around 100 miles, including its energy reserves, and can be flown autonomously or piloted.
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Claire Reid is a journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in New Zealand. She began her career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from Liverpool John Moore’s University and has more than a decade of experience, writing for both local newspapers and national news sites. Claire covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on cars, technology, planes, cryptocurrency, and luxury.
