Delta CEO Shares Timeline for Air Taxis Taking Flight
As new aerospace technologies emerge, Delta Air Lines embodies its slogan “keep climbing” by embracing the latest flying platforms and forming new collaborations. Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian outlined the airline’s future ambitions and suggested that air taxis may soon become a reality. “You will begin to see them in the skies in the upcoming years,” Bastian informed FOX BusinessBusiness Liz Claman during CES 2025. At this event, Delta Air Lines, marking its 100th anniversary, unveiled its vision for the next hundred years. This vision includes leveraging artificial intelligence and nurturing new and existing partnerships with technology, ride-sharing, and aerospace firms. The CEO also revealed plans to introduce a home-to-airport air taxi service by collaborating with Joby Aviation and its all-electric vertical take-off aircraft (eVTOL).
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“They [Joby] have completed all the necessary certification procedures,” he stated. “The FAA has been extremely supportive of introducing that mobility service in the air because they understand that the real problem lies with what’s happening on the ground and the congestion there. Our collaboration with Joby has truly impressed me with their technology. I believe they are the frontrunners in this industry.”
Joby is “participating in a multi-year FAA testing program to certify our vehicle for commercial use, having finished the initial three out of five phases,” as noted on the aerospace company’s website.
A press release from December 2024 also emphasized a significant achievement in the air taxi certification journey, highlighting the successful testing of the aerostructure with FAA representatives on-site.
Bastian pointed out the FAA’s understanding of congestion issues as the certification moves forward.
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“They recognize that the primary challenge is what’s happening on the ground and the existing congestion,” Bastian mentioned.
He further explained how these air taxis would function and reduce travel duration.
“You could take a Joby from, let’s say, your home in Westchester County, landing directly at JFK [John F. Kennedy International Airport],” he elaborated. “How long would that take on the road? Probably around two hours… You can accomplish that in 15 minutes and end up right inside a Delta SkyMiles club, and your next destination is… your plane.”
Bastian mentioned that “this is all about the value.”
