Flying taxis have long been the stuff of imagination. Now they’re one step closer to becoming a reality. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently released a plan to allow air taxis in the skies over urban areas starting in 2028. In addition, the FAA has given two air taxi companies, Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation, approval for test flights.
The taxis are electric and can take off and land vertically. They can zoom through the air at up to 200 miles per hour. That is about three times as fast as vehicles are allowed to go on U.S. highways.
But getting public approval won’t be easy. The flying machines may face resistance from city officials and residents who fear they’ll be a safety hazard and clog up the sky. The air taxis will also need charging stations.
Supporters of the flying taxis say the vehicles will make roads safer by reducing the number of cars on them. That could, in turn, cut down on crashes. Having fewer cars could also reduce traffic jams and air pollution.
Joby hopes its air taxi prices will be competitive with those of Uber, a popular car taxi service. Michael Huerta, a member of Joby’s board of directors, says cost will be important to winning people over.
“If you see this only as a service for wealthy people, and you’re dealing with the impacts of it,” Huerta says, “you might be less accepting.”
How will this new form of travel affect your life? It’s hard to say. Even traditional modes of transportation like cars and trains took years of development before they were widely used. Still, the FAA’s plan reflects the growing belief among industry experts that the popularity of air taxis will soon take off.
—with reporting by The New York Times