Joby and Archer Delay First eVTOL Passenger Flights to 2027

Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation, two leading electric aviation companies, have pushed their initial U.S. passenger operations to 2027. The revised timeline replaces earlier targets for late 2026 and was announced during the companies’ third-quarter earnings calls.

Both companies cited ongoing flight testing and the complex process of securing FAA type certification.

Joby had planned to begin passenger flights under the FAA’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) before the end of 2026. Its next key milestones are now FAA pilot training and Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) flight testing.

Archer has received an FAA certificate for piloted runway demonstrations and is targeting vertical flight transition tests by late 2026. The company expects market-survey passenger flights to follow in 2027.

The delays highlight the technical and regulatory complexity of certifying a new aircraft category for commercial passenger use in the United States. Both companies remain optimistic that 2027 will mark a historic milestone for urban air mobility.

For the broader general aviation community, these developments signal that electric air taxis could soon reshape short-haul transportation across American cities.

Source: AVweb – Joby, Archer Push Initial Passenger Operations to 2027