Electric helicopters to take passengers from JFK Airport to Manhattan in seven minutes for the price of a ride share
Test flights have been conducted for the first electric air taxi that could carry passengers from JFK Airport to Manhattan in seven minutes.
With a planned introduction in 2025, the taxis could significantly reduce commute times for New Yorkers and visitors alike.
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“Here in New York City you can feel the electricity in the air! “Our vision for the Downtown Manhattan Heliport will be the world’s first helipad with infrastructure for electrically powered aircraft,” New York Mayor Eric Adams wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
An exhibition flight took place on November 12th, representing the first electric air taxi flight in New York City.
The air taxis are manufactured by Joby Aviation.
CEO JoeBen Bevirt said the planes could be recharged in about five minutes. Reuters reported.
Joby aims to launch taxi service in 2025 and is working on its certification with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
While the cost of an air taxi has not yet been finalized, Joby previously said it would be similar to a ride-hailing service.
Typically, a ride from JFK to Lower Manhattan takes about an hour and can cost anywhere from $50 to $100 or more depending on the number of passengers and size of the vehicle.
JFK is only about 20 miles from Lower Manhattan, but depending on the time of day, the drive can take well over an hour.
There are several transportation alternatives for getting to and from JFK Airport that are more cost-effective but more time-consuming.
Commuters could take the subway or bus to the Long Island Rail Road and then transfer to the AirTrain at JFK.
This could cost anywhere from $10 to $40 each way.
There is a similar helicopter service that connects travelers from JFK to Manhattan and other nearby airports, including Newark International in New Jersey.
Prices for these helicopter flights start at $195 but can increase significantly depending on the time of day.
For example, the 5-minute drive from JFK to Newark avoids traffic and saves time – but costs about $200.