How much will an air taxi ride cost?
You can’t buy a ticket yet. Companies have published targets and operating costs instead. Here’s what those say, and what they leave out. We checked every source on October 19, 2026.
Has anyone published a fare?
No. Joby and Archer have described goals, not a price list. Paid flights aren’t for sale in the U.S. yet. When will air taxis launch? covers the timelines they have given.
What price do the companies aim for?
These are each company’s own targets:
- Joby’s 2021 investor presentation describes “a vision to offer flights at the same price as a ground-based taxi.” In the same deck, its 2026 service model used a price of $3.00 per seat-mile, which it called cheaper than Uber Black for one person, on an average trip of 24 miles. Company-stated. Source: Joby investor presentation, 2021 (opens in new tab).
- Archer said in 2021 that it would create “a service with a price equivalent to rideshare services on the market today.” Company-stated. Source: Archer, March 9, 2021 (opens in new tab).
Those are goals. Neither company has said what the first paid rides will actually cost.
What does it cost to run the aircraft?
Energy is only one part of a fare. BETA puts the energy cost of its ALIA VTOL at $28 an hour, against $311 an hour for a Bell 407 helicopter. That’s electricity, not the full cost of a ride. Company-stated. Source: BETA aircraft page (opens in new tab).
Joby’s 2021 model listed a fully burdened cost of $0.86 per available seat-mile. That figure folds in pilots, landing fees, maintenance, batteries and charging, insurance, and other operating costs. Company-stated. Source: Joby investor presentation, 2021 (opens in new tab).
Air taxi vs. helicopter compares running costs and noise. How loud are air taxis? covers the noise figures.
What might a booking include?
Joby’s planned Uber booking puts an Uber Black car on both ends of the flight. The app would book the ground legs and the aircraft together. Source: Joby, February 25, 2026 (opens in new tab).
So the total you pay could cover more than the minutes in the air. Cities with named first routes are listed in First announced air taxi routes.
Is this the same as buying an air taxi?
No. Ride prices are for a seat on someone else’s aircraft. Buying one is a different market, with posted figures from about $79,000 to about $400,000. How much does a personal eVTOL cost? covers those.