NewsWUSF (NPR Tampa Bay)October 30, 2026Hillsborough County
Joby Aviation and BETA Technologies test electric air taxis in Tampa Bay demonstration
Photo: WUSF (NPR Tampa Bay)
Two electric air taxi companies completed test flights between St. Petersburg and Tampa as part of state-organized demonstrations showcasing potential future transportation technology. Florida officials and company representatives are evaluating the aircraft for passenger travel, cargo delivery, and reducing highway congestion.
Read the full story at WUSF (NPR Tampa Bay)Why It Matters
The demonstrations explore alternative regional transit that could eventually cut travel times across the Howard Frankland Bridge from nearly an hour to about 10 minutes, though commercial service dates and costs remain unannounced.
Key Facts
- Joby Aviation and BETA Technologies conducted electric air taxi test flights between St. Petersburg and Tampa as part of a Florida Department of Transportation demonstration series.
- BETA Technologies' flight recreated the route of the world's first scheduled commercial airline flight originally flown by Tony Jannus in 1914.
- Joby's S4 aircraft is an electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle with a top speed of about 200 mph designed to carry a pilot and four passengers.
- BETA's ALIA CX300 is an electric aircraft that takes off and lands like a conventional plane.
- Governor Ron DeSantis stated that Florida has invested in advanced air mobility and participates in the FAA's eVTOL Integration Pilot Program.
- Florida expanded SunTrax, a 775-acre research facility in Polk County, to include vertiports, charging infrastructure, an aerial test track, and hangar space.
- BETA Technologies conducted 26 flights over three days, using 1,892 kilowatt-hours of electricity at an estimated cost of around $300.
- A flight between St. Petersburg and Tampa could take about 10 minutes compared to a roughly 23-mile drive across the Howard Frankland Bridge that can take nearly an hour during rush hour.
- Officials have not yet announced when commercial passengers could book flights or how much a trip would cost, as companies and regulators still need to develop operating procedures and infrastructure.
Who's Mentioned
PersonRon DeSantis“Governor of Florida discussing state transportation technology”PersonBonny Simi“Joby's President of Operations”PersonBryan Bedford“FAA Administrator discussing potential for electric aircraft”OrganizationBETA Technologies“Electric aircraft manufacturer participating in demonstrations”locationTampa“Destination point for test flights”OrganizationFlorida Department of Transportation“Organized the series of electric aircraft demonstrations”PersonAbe Pheil“Former St. Petersburg Mayor who flew with Tony Jannus”OrganizationJoby Aviation“Electric aircraft manufacturer participating in demonstrations”PersonJared Perdue“Florida Department of Transportation Secretary”PersonTony Jannus“Flew the world's first scheduled commercial airline flight in 1914”PersonChris Caputo“BETA's Head of Flight Operations”locationTampa International Airport“Destination for Joby Aviation's test flight”locationSt. Petersburg“Origin point for test flights”locationPolk County“Location of the SunTrax research and testing facility”OrganizationFederal Aviation Administration“Federal agency managing the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program”