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Joby vs. Archer: how their air taxis compare

Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation are both building piloted, all-electric air taxis in California, and both trade on the New York Stock Exchange. Here’s how they compare, using only what each company and the FAA have published. We checked every source on October 10, 2026.

The short version

  • Seats: both carry a pilot and four passengers.
  • Speed: Joby says up to 200 mph. Archer’s target is up to 150 mph.
  • Range: both target up to 100 miles.
  • FAA: neither has a type certificate yet. Joby says it’s in the last of five stages. Archer says it closed Phase 3 of four.
  • First cities: Joby plans Dubai. Archer plans Abu Dhabi. Both are partners in U.S. pilot-program projects in New York, Texas, and Florida.

Speed and range are company targets, not certified figures.

How do the two aircraft compare?

They’re close. Both carry a pilot and four passengers and target up to 100 miles, and Joby lists the higher top speed.

Both use the tilt-rotor idea: propellers point up to lift, then tilt forward for cruise on the wing. See the three common layouts.

Which is closer to FAA approval?

Public filings can’t settle it. Neither had an FAA type certificate on October 10, 2026, and the two count their steps differently.

The FAA certifies both aircraft as powered-lift in a “special class.” It published the rules each one must meet in the Federal Register: Joby’s JAS4-1 on March 8, 2024, and Archer’s M001 on May 24, 2024.

Joby’s “fifth stage” and Archer’s “Phase 4” aren’t the same milestone. How FAA powered-lift certification works.

Where will they fly first?

Joby plans to start in Dubai, and Archer in Abu Dhabi. In the U.S., both fly in FAA pilot-program projects.

  • Joby: In 2024, Joby signed an agreement with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority that gives it the exclusive right to operate air taxis in Dubai for six years. In August 2026, Joby said the second of four partner-built vertiports there was nearly complete. In the U.S., the FAA lists Joby as a partner in five pilot-program projects, and its Texas flights began on September 10, 2026. Joby says it’s targeting its first passengers in 2026. Sources: Joby 2025 Form 10-K, Joby Q2 2026 letter, FAA, September 10, 2026
  • Archer: Midnight is planned to enter service in Abu Dhabi with Abu Dhabi Aviation. On May 7, 2026, the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority moved Midnight into a Restricted Type Certificate program for limited early operations. In the U.S., the FAA lists Archer as a partner in three pilot-program projects. In July 2026, Midnight flew a piloted round trip between Salinas and Monterey, about nine minutes each way. Archer runs Hawthorne Airport near LAX as its planned Los Angeles hub. Sources: Archer, May 7, 2026, Archer Q2 2026 results, Archer Q1 2026 results

Both are partners in the FAA’s New York and New Jersey, Texas, and Florida projects. What the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program is. When air taxis may start flying passengers.

Who is buying their aircraft?

Archer has a conditional deal with United Airlines. Joby plans to run its own service and has early agreements to sell abroad.

  • Archer: United Airlines has a conditional agreement to buy up to $1 billion of aircraft, with an option for $500 million more, and has paid Archer a $10 million pre-delivery payment. Source: Archer 2025 Form 10-K
  • Joby: Joby plans to run its own service in the U.S. and Dubai. It has signed a letter of intent to sell up to $250 million of aircraft and services in Kazakhstan, and a memorandum of understanding to explore up to 200 aircraft in Saudi Arabia. Source: Joby 2025 Form 10-K

A letter of intent or memorandum isn’t a firm order. Compare aircraft orders across all 26 companies.

How much cash do they have?

On June 30, 2026, Joby reported $2.3 billion in cash and short-term investments, and Archer reported $1.56 billion. Sources: Joby Q2 2026 letter, Archer Q2 2026 results

Archer has also agreed to buy Wisk, Insitu, and SkyGrid from Boeing. On September 24, 2026, it said the U.S. antitrust waiting period had ended. Source: Archer Form 8-K, September 24, 2026

Things you should know

  • Neither company sells rides yet, and neither takes public bookings.
  • Specs, timelines, and deals come from the companies themselves. We don’t rank them, and this isn’t investment advice.

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