Joby Aviation Showcases eVTOL Innovation with Historic Marina-to-Salinas Flights at California International Airshow
Joby Aviation, Inc., a trailblazer in the development of all-electric air taxis for commercial passenger service, marked another major milestone in its journey toward transforming urban air mobility. The company announced that it successfully flew its cutting-edge eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft at the California International Airshow in Salinas, completing a series of captivating demonstration flights over the weekend.
The event, held from Friday through Sunday, gave spectators a rare opportunity to witness Joby’s aircraft in action within its home region on California’s Central Coast. The flights represented a full-circle moment for the Santa Cruz-based company, coming shortly after its landmark demonstration flights in Osaka, Japan, with ANA Holdings a collaboration that will continue through October 13th.
At the airshow, Joby completed three live flight demonstrations that left audiences in awe, including round-trip flights between Marina Municipal Airport (OAR) the company’s primary flight testing facility and Salinas Municipal Airport (SNS), where the airshow was hosted. Each demonstration highlighted not only the aircraft’s elegant engineering and technological sophistication but also its readiness for the next phase of regulatory and commercial progress.
Showcasing the Future of Air Mobility
Each demonstration began with a vertical lift-off from Marina, where Joby’s aircraft gracefully ascended from the ground with minimal noise an impressive feat that sets it apart from traditional helicopters. Once airborne, the aircraft transitioned seamlessly into forward cruise flight, completing the short journey to Salinas before shifting back into hover mode for landing.
With a pilot onboard, Joby showcased the operational maturity of its eVTOL system through a variety of complex maneuvers, including steep climbs, precise hovers, and controlled descents. The transitions between vertical and horizontal flight—one of the most technically demanding aspects of eVTOL design appeared smooth and stable, demonstrating the company’s continued refinement of its flight control systems.
Crowds at the airshow were not only thrilled by the visual spectacle but also struck by how remarkably quiet the aircraft was during operation. Unlike conventional rotorcraft that generate significant rotor and engine noise, Joby’s eVTOL design uses multiple smaller propellers optimized for low acoustic impact. As a result, the aircraft produces a gentle hum rather than the typical roar of helicopters, an essential factor for its envisioned use in densely populated urban settings.
Spectators had the opportunity to view the aircraft up close between flights, allowing them to better understand the size, structure, and aerodynamic elegance of Joby’s design. Many attendees expressed excitement at the thought of someday boarding one of these air taxis for short urban commutes—signaling growing public enthusiasm for sustainable aerial mobility.
Advancing Toward FAA Certification
The successful airshow flights also underscored the reliability and readiness of Joby’s aircraft as it moves closer to the final stages of certification. The company noted that these demonstrations showcased the aircraft’s maturity as it prepares for FAA type inspection authorization (TIA) flight testing, expected to begin early next year.
The TIA process is one of the final and most critical steps in achieving FAA type certification, which is required before Joby can begin commercial passenger operations in the United States. Gaining type certification will affirm that Joby’s eVTOL meets all applicable safety and performance standards set by the FAA a rigorous multi-year process that only a handful of eVTOL developers have reached.
Joby’s participation in live public events like the California International Airshow serves an important dual purpose: not only does it demonstrate technical readiness to regulators, but it also helps build public confidence and acceptance of this entirely new form of flight.
A Moment of Pride for the Central Coast
For Joby Aviation, the Salinas airshow was more than a demonstration it was a homecoming celebration. Founded in 2009 by JoeBen Bevirt, Joby has spent years developing and testing its revolutionary aircraft along California’s Central Coast, with facilities in Santa Cruz, Marina, and San Carlos. Bringing the aircraft from its local test site to a major public event in Salinas symbolized how far the company has come from its early prototype days.
Reflecting on the moment, JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, shared his gratitude and pride:
“We’ve had the privilege of flying in places like Japan and Dubai this year, but seeing our aircraft fly at home on the Central Coast and sharing it with our neighbors was truly special. I’m deeply grateful to our team and to everyone who came out to see us. Experiencing the aircraft up close shows just how quiet it is, and that gives a real sense of the future of flight we’re building.”
Bevirt’s comments echo the company’s broader mission: to make quiet, clean, and accessible aerial transportation a practical reality for communities around the world.
Global Demonstrations Strengthening Public Trust
Joby’s flights in Salinas follow a series of international demonstrations designed to familiarize global audiences with eVTOL technology. The company has logged over 40,000 miles of flight time across various testing and demonstration missions, building an impressive track record of performance and safety.
In Japan, Joby recently partnered with ANA Holdings to conduct public demonstration flights around Osaka, providing a glimpse of what future urban air taxi services could look like during the 2025 World Expo. The demonstrations, running through mid-October, mark one of the first times a U.S.-based eVTOL developer has flown its aircraft in Japan—an achievement that underscores the company’s growing international reach.
Earlier this year, Joby also showcased its aircraft in Dubai, South Korea, and New York City, further strengthening global awareness and acceptance of its technology. Each event reinforces the company’s reputation as a leader in electric aviation and a front-runner in the race toward commercial launch.
By engaging directly with communities, regulators, and policymakers through these demonstrations, Joby aims to ensure that its aircraft are not only technologically advanced but also socially embraced and operationally feasible in diverse urban environments.
The Path to Commercial Service
With momentum building both domestically and abroad, Joby is now focusing on the next major milestone—commercial launch. The company continues to work closely with the FAA to complete its certification process and has already achieved several key milestones, including Stage 4 of the FAA’s five-stage certification pathway.
Joby’s long-term vision is to offer on-demand air taxi services in major metropolitan areas, allowing passengers to bypass traffic and travel quickly between city centers, airports, and surrounding regions. Its aircraft, designed to carry a pilot and up to four passengers, is expected to operate at speeds of around 200 miles per hour with a range of up to 100 miles per charge—all while producing a fraction of the noise and emissions of conventional aircraft.
The company is also collaborating with global partners such as Toyota Motor Corporation and Delta Air Lines to support manufacturing, infrastructure, and service deployment. These partnerships will play a crucial role in scaling production and ensuring that Joby’s technology integrates smoothly into existing transportation ecosystems.
Looking ahead, Joby will continue its community engagement efforts at upcoming global aviation events, including the Dubai Airshow, scheduled for November 17–21, 2025. There, the company will further demonstrate its commitment to safe, sustainable, and accessible air mobility.
The Marina-to-Salinas flights were more than a technical display—they offered a glimpse into a future where electric air taxis quietly crisscross city skies, connecting people faster, cleaner, and more efficiently than ever before.
As Joby Aviation continues its mission to redefine how people move within and between cities, its performance at the California International Airshow stands as a powerful symbol of progress. For the residents of California’s Central Coast, it was a moment of pride and inspiration; for the world, it was a preview of the next great leap in aviation history.