Joby Acquires Blade’s U.S. Passenger Business

Post by : Amit

Photo : X / FutureFlight

Joby Acquires Blade’s U.S. Passenger Business to Accelerate eVTOL Services

In a defining moment for the future of aerial ridesharing in America, Joby Aviation has announced that it will acquire Blade Air Mobility’s U.S. commercial passenger business, including its airport transfer services, ground infrastructure, and customer-facing operations. This milestone deal aims to bridge the gap between today’s helicopter-based urban travel and tomorrow’s all-electric air taxi networks.

With FAA certification on the horizon for Joby’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the company’s acquisition of Blade’s urban airport transfer routes will provide immediate operational pathways, experienced staff, and proven terminals. The agreement gives Joby a head-start in major U.S. markets like New York and Southern California, which have long served as testbeds for high-frequency, premium short-range air mobility.

The acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter of 2024 and will be instrumental in scaling Joby’s eVTOL passenger service when the aircraft enters commercial operation, expected in 2025.

Blade's Current Business: From Helicopters to eVTOLs

Blade has become one of the most recognizable names in urban air mobility, offering fast helicopter transfers between New York City and major airports like JFK and Newark, with services also active in Los Angeles. Their operations have developed loyal clientele, efficient terminals, and seamless booking systems.

Joby will now take full ownership of these scheduled U.S. passenger routes, currently operated using traditional helicopters by third-party providers. Importantly, the infrastructure Blade built—both physical (helipads and terminals) and digital (app and reservation systems)—will serve as the operational foundation for Joby’s all-electric future.

Joby will become the exclusive operator of Blade’s airport service in New York, which is among the highest-volume urban air corridors in the United States. Blade will no longer manage the actual flights but will remain a partner, continuing to focus on its tech platform, customer experience, and non-passenger businesses.

Joby's Vision: Clean, Quiet, and Scalable Urban Air Travel

Joby’s eVTOL aircraft—capable of carrying a pilot and four passengers—is designed for fast, emissions-free travel across congested metropolitan areas. With a range of up to 100 miles and a quiet, battery-powered rotor system, the aircraft is well suited for replacing today’s helicopter services with more environmentally sustainable and less disruptive alternatives.

The company has already conducted extensive flight testing, received approval for Part 135 air carrier certification, and is progressing toward full FAA type certification in 2025. The Blade acquisition allows Joby to leapfrog the logistical and regulatory hurdles of launching a new service by acquiring one that already has demand, infrastructure, and regulatory familiarity.

“By acquiring Blade’s U.S. passenger business, we’re not just inheriting routes and terminals—we’re integrating the entire passenger journey,” said JoeBen Bevirt, CEO of Joby. “This move brings us closer to offering true urban air mobility at scale.”

Seamless Transition from Helicopter to Electric

During the transition phase, passengers on Blade routes will continue to fly using helicopters until Joby’s eVTOL aircraft becomes operational. Once certified, Joby will begin phasing in its aircraft along these established routes, including high-traffic corridors like Manhattan to JFK, which currently take 5-7 minutes by air—compared to more than an hour by car.

This strategy avoids the costly and complex process of building new urban air routes from scratch. Joby will also inherit experienced operational teams and terminals at key locations, including NYC’s East 34th Street Heliport and the West Side Heliport, further boosting operational readiness.

The switch from helicopters to eVTOLs will result in quieter operations, lower costs, and zero direct emissions, aligning with growing public demand for sustainable and efficient transport in urban environments.

Blade’s Role Going Forward

Blade Air Mobility, for its part, is transitioning into a more asset-light, platform-focused business. It will continue to provide its technology platform, mobile booking interface, and strong consumer brand for non-scheduled services, medical transport, and charter.

CEO Rob Wiesenthal emphasized the long-term vision: “We built the nation’s most recognized short-distance aviation brand. Now, by handing over operations to Joby, we can focus on what we do best—connecting passengers to flights and providing the best user experience.”

Blade will continue to book seats on Joby-operated flights once the eVTOLs are certified and in service, reinforcing a lasting partnership that benefits both companies without overlapping core functions.

Industry Impact: First Major Vertical Integration in eVTOL Market

This acquisition is being hailed as one of the first real-world vertical integrations in the eVTOL industry. Rather than just manufacturing aircraft or partnering loosely with service providers, Joby is now taking control of operations, customer service, and infrastructure—similar to how Tesla manages both its vehicles and charging network.

Aviation analysts see the move as a watershed moment for the advanced air mobility (AAM) industry, which is rapidly evolving from prototype flights to commercial service planning.

“Joby is going from developer to operator—this is what separates the future leaders from the rest,” said aviation consultant Tina Morales. “It’s not just about building an aircraft. It’s about delivering a repeatable, scalable service people can trust.”

With demand for urban air mobility expected to soar—especially in gridlocked mega-cities—the playbook is being written now. Joby’s full-stack approach is expected to put competitive pressure on rivals like Archer Aviation and Volocopter, who are still refining their operational strategies.

Certification Timeline and Market Readiness

Joby’s eVTOL aircraft is currently undergoing FAA type certification, with flight testing, safety evaluations, and production validation all in progress. In 2024, the company also ramped up pilot training, maintenance crew hiring, and simulation-based testing, all of which are prerequisites for commercial launch.

Once certified, Joby aims to launch commercial service in New York and Los Angeles, with planned expansion into other U.S. cities and international locations in later phases. The Blade infrastructure provides plug-and-play entry into live markets, enabling faster scale-up and reduced time to revenue.

Blade’s passenger routes already demonstrate real consumer demand, giving Joby a huge data advantage on flight frequency, passenger preferences, peak usage times, and pricing elasticity.

Joby’s Broader Growth Strategy

Beyond this acquisition, Joby is simultaneously pursuing partnerships with global governments, air traffic authorities, and infrastructure developers. The company is working with the U.S. Department of Defense and NASA on eVTOL operations, and its production facilities in Marina, California, are preparing for volume manufacturing.

Joby also has a strong financial position, with a multi-year runway supported by backers like Toyota, Intel, and Baillie Gifford. This financial stability allows it to make aggressive strategic moves—such as the Blade acquisition—without short-term funding pressure.

The long-term goal is to create a network of eVTOL routes across major cities, making air mobility as simple and accessible as booking a ride on Uber or Lyft.

The Future of City Commuting?

Urban aviation is no longer science fiction—it’s an imminent mode of transport. Joby’s acquisition of Blade’s U.S. passenger business marks a clear pivot from testing to delivering.

By fusing aircraft development with operational control, Joby is positioned to offer fully integrated aerial ridesharing with reduced noise, emissions, and cost. If the company can execute on its promise, the idea of hopping across a city in 5 minutes—without traffic—may soon become a routine part of urban life.

For now, helicopters will keep flying the routes. But Joby is getting ready to switch the rotors—from gas to electric, from loud to silent, from today to tomorrow.

Joby, Usa Aviation, Air Taxi