Delta CEO reveals when we might see air taxis in the sky

With the new technology in aerospace take off, Delta Air Lines fulfills its motto of “continue climbing” with the use of the latest air platforms and new partners. Delta CEO Ed Bastian discussed the airline’s plans for the future and hinted that air taxis could soon take to the skies.

“You’re going to start seeing it in the sky in the next couple of years,” Bastianu said Liz Claman of FOX Business during CES 2025.

During this event, Delta Air Lines, celebrating its centenary, showed its vision for the next century. The vision includes the employment of artificial intelligence and the promotion of new and existing partnerships companies in technology, ride-share and the aerospace industry.

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The CEO shed light on plans to bring an air taxi service from home to the airport, through its partnership with Joby Aviation and its fully electric vertical take-off (eVTOL) aircraft.

“They (Joby) have gone through all the certification processes,” he said. “The FAA, by the way, has been a big supporter of bringing that mobility service to the sky because they understand that the problem is what’s on the ground and all the congestion that’s down there. So our ability to work with Joby I’m really impressed. I think I’m the leader in the space.”

Delta CEO Ed Bastian predicts we’ll see sky taxis in the “next few years” as the airline partners with Joby Aviation. (“Courtesy of Joby Aviation. (c) Joby Aero, Inc.”)

Joby is “engaged in a multi-year test program with the FAA to certify our vehicle for commercial operations, and has completed the first three of five stages,” according to the the aerospace company’s website.

A December 2024 press release also highlighted its recent milestone in the air taxi certification process with the completion of the aerostructure test with FAA representation present.

As the certification process progresses, Bastianu explained the FAA’s awareness when it comes to congestion.

Delta Air Lines Bombardier Boeing 757-200 as seen arriving, on final approach to land at New York JFK John F. Kennedy International Airport. (Photo by Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images) (Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

“They understand that the problem is what’s on the ground and all the congestion that’s down there,” Bastian said.

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He also mentioned how air taxis operate and reduce travel times.

“You can take a Joby from, say, New York, where you live, from Westchester County, land at JFK (John F. Kennedy International Airport),” he said. “How long is it on the way?, probably two hours … You can do it in 15 minutes and be right in a Delta SkyMiles club, and then your next stop is … (inside) your plane.”

Bastianu concluded, proposing that “it’s about value”.

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