eVTOLs power towards entry into service with milestones from Joby and Archer
August 18, 2025
The race to bring electric air taxis into commercial service hit two major milestones this August, underscoring just how far leading developers have come in making eVTOLs a reality.
While Joby took its first piloted air taxi flight between two public airports in California, Archer flew its Midnight eVTOL on its longest flight yet. Covering 55 miles, it saw the aircraft travel at over 126 miles an hour.
These latest achievements follow the UK’s Vertical Aerospace making its first airport-to-airport flight with the VX4 in July.
Joby: first piloted eVTOL flight between public airports
Joby Aviation announced it has completed the world’s first piloted eVTOL air taxi flight between two public airports, flying its prototype aircraft from Marina (OAR) to Monterey (MRY) in California.
The short sector, covering about 10 miles, marked the first time an eVTOL has operated in normal airspace between public-use airports and using the vertical abilities of the aircraft.
The piloted flight included vertical takeoff, transition to wingborne flight, integration into the controlled airspace around MRY, and vertical landing.
“Successfully flying from Marina to Monterey showcased operations of our aircraft integrated in the broader transportation network and further validated its performance to ensure we’re prepared for service on day one,” said Didier Papadopoulos, President of Aircraft OEM at Joby.
The company has already built its first conforming prototype at its California factory and aims to certify with the FAA in 2026. Having recently announced its acquisition of Blade’s air taxi network, Joby is in a great position to be an early entrant in this emerging space.
Archer: longest piloted flight yet for Midnight
Meanwhile, rival developer Archer Aviation revealed its Midnight aircraft has completed its longest piloted mission to date: a 55-mile flight in 31 minutes at speeds over 126 mph.
Conducted at Archer’s Salinas, California, test site, the flight was observed by United Airlines CFO Mike Leskinen, who led United Airlines’ early investment in Archer.
“I was proud to be on the tarmac with the team for this flight,” says Adam Goldstein, Archer’s Founder and CEO. “Crossing the 50-mile mark at speed is another clear step toward commercialisation that shows the maturity of our program.”
Four test pilots are now flying the Midnight regularly, expanding speed, endurance, and mission profiles that mirror future operations. The company notes that test flights last week had reached speeds of almost 150 miles an hour.
Although the flight used conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL), Archer has already demonstrated Midnight’s transition in an unmanned flight. A near-term milestone will be to achieve a piloted transition flight.
Why these eVTOL milestones matter
Together, the flights show how two of the most advanced U.S. eVTOL developers are pushing the technology from theory into practice:
- Joby proved integration with existing airport networks, a key step for real-world passenger operations.
- Archer showed range and performance expansion, proving the Midnight can fly beyond short demonstration hops.
Both achievements highlight growing programme maturity at a time when investor confidence in the sector has been tested by delays and bankruptcies among other players.
With Airbus and Boeing absent from this segment, start-ups like Joby and Archer are defining the early playbook for eVTOL commercialisation.
Certification hurdles remain, but each successful flight demonstration strengthens the case that electric air taxis could soon be part of the transport ecosystem in both the US and abroad.
As United’s Mike Leskinen put it after watching Midnight’s milestone flight: “Crossing the 50-mile mark at speed is another clear step toward commercialisation that shows the maturity of the programme.”
