Joby can begin early air taxi operations in multiple states. California is not one of them.

Joby Aviation will begin offering commercial air taxi service in 2026, before it is fully certified—but not in California.

The Federal Aviation Administration chose eight proposals to participate in the Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing and Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program, it announced March 9. The program allows the burgeoning industry to begin testing operations ahead of full FAA certification as a way to develop future regulations.

Of the eight chosen proposals, Joby was a partner in five, allowing the company to begin early operations in Arizona, Florida, Idaho, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and Utah.

“This is a defining moment for American innovation,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, in a press release. “Instead of just reading about the future of flight, communities across America are going to be able to see it in the skies above their own cities this year.”

In December 2025, American Air Advantage submitted a proposal to the FAA. Caltrans serves as the lead agency of the group, which also includes Joby, Archer Aviation, the County of Monterey, Monterey Bay DART, San Jose International Airport and other businesses and agencies across North and Central California. The group proposed, among other things, air taxi demonstrations at large-scale public events in Monterey, Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties.

The proposal did not make the cut after a review by the FAA and the Department of Transportation.

Caltrans spokesperson Edward Barrera said California will continue to serve as a national hub for testing and operations.

"Through strong partnerships with aviation, research and technology collaborators, Caltrans is actively pursuing ongoing research, coordination and support for operational AAM pilot flights and will build upon the groundwork established through the Integration Pilot Program application," he said. "California has already made significant early investments to safely integrate emerging aircraft technologies and will continue to promote use cases that could benefit communities across California. Additionally, California remains engaged in wider multi-state AAM efforts, providing a pathway to advance in-state operations while contributing to national progress.”

Joby is still on its way to full certification. The Santa Cruz-based company, which has a manufacturing and testing facility at the Marina Municipal Airport, reports that its aircraft will soon be tested by FAA pilots, a major step forward in the certification process.

Archer, which is based in San Jose and tests its aircraft at the Salinas Municipal Airport, was also a partner in a handful of the chosen proposals. It will be able to offer service in Florida, New York and Texas later this year.