Electric Air Taxi to Fly From St. Pete to Tampa International Airport in Florida Test
The flight will gather operational data on airport integration and vertiport procedures as Florida tests electric air taxis under a federal program.
- On Friday, October 30, 2026, Joby Aviation and BETA Technologies conducted test flights over Tampa Bay, retracing the 1914 route of the world's first commercial airline flight.
- Gov. Ron DeSantis touted the demonstrations as a step toward making Florida a "global hub" for electric aircraft, launching the state's "Future of Flight Series" under the Federal Aviation Administration Integration Pilot Program.
- Joby's aircraft is designed for four passengers at speeds of about 200 mph, while BETA's earlier I-4 corridor trials demonstrated operating costs under $17 per leg.
- Manufacturers are completing final FAA type certification, meaning these demonstration flights do not yet carry paying passengers while providing federal regulators data on airport integration, acoustics, and vertiport procedures.
- State planners will use this operational data to map the Florida Aerial Highway Network, a proposed system of low-altitude corridors, with future flights scheduled for Orlando International Airport and Kennedy Space Center.
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Florida marked a milestone in conducting the first successful tests of electric "flying taxis" over Tampa Bay, connecting two cities.The tests, part of an FAA program, will run for two weeks, seeking to integrate these aircraft into real airspace.
DeSantis touts future of 'flying cars' as electric aircrafts take flight over Tampa Bay
Gov. Ron DeSantis touted Florida's push to become a global hub for electric aircraft Friday as two companies demonstrated their flying vehicles over Tampa Bay, retracing the route of the world's first commercial airline flight in 1914.
Historic Flight Path Reimagined: Electric Aircraft Cross Tampa Bay In Air Taxi Test
TAMPA, Fla. – Two electric aircraft flew across Tampa Bay on Friday, tracing the route of the world’s first scheduled commercial airline flight as state and federal officials test airborne transit to bypass congested highway corridors. The demonstration flights took off from Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg, crossed the bay in formation, and touched […] Historic Flight Path Reimagined: Electric Aircraft Cross Tampa Bay In Air Taxi Test
Electric air taxi to fly from St. Pete to Tampa International Airport in Florida test
An electric air taxi is expected to fly across Tampa Bay from downtown St. Petersburg to Tampa International Airport Friday morning, marking Florida's first flights under a new federal program testing how the aircraft could eventually become part of the nation's transportation system.
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