Joby Aviation (JOBY) announced plans to make Blade Air Mobility’s (BLDE) helicopter and seaplane services available on the Uber (UBER) app as early as 2026. The move follows Joby’s deal in August to buy Blade’s passenger business for up to $125 million.
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The purchase gives Joby access to Blade’s steady routes in New York and Southern Europe, which carried more than 50,000 passengers in 2024. At the same time, Blade’s network offers Joby a ready infrastructure as it works toward approval for its own electric air taxi. Meanwhile, JOBY shares are up over 3% so far in today’s trading.
Building Toward Certification
Joby’s aircraft is designed to seat four passengers and one pilot. It can reach speeds of up to 200 miles per hour and is quieter than a helicopter. The company is still waiting for clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). However, regulators are moving faster after U.S. President Donald Trump urged quicker reviews for air taxis and other new aircraft in June.
Until approval arrives, Blade’s business provides Joby with revenue and a customer base that is already used to booking short flights. As a result, the company can build recognition and trust before its own electric aircraft enter service. By linking Blade flights to the Uber app, Joby gains access to a global pool of riders who are already used to booking trips with their phones. This step could make the shift from cars to air travel smoother for many customers.
Joby’s launch plans target New York, Los Angeles, Dubai, the UK, and Japan once certification is in place. In each case, the Blade routes give Joby a starting point for new services, while Uber will handle the demand side of the platform.
Competitive Landscape
The eVTOL sector is not short of competitors, with other firms moving at the same pace. Currently, their biggest rival in the race toward commercialization, Archer Aviation (ACHR), has support from the U.S. Air Force and a deal with United Airlines (UAL) for routes in Chicago and New York. Another is Lilium (LILM), which is focusing on Europe with a different aircraft design. Still, Joby’s mix of Blade’s routes and Uber’s scale sets up a clear path toward early adoption. The biggest step left is certification, which will define when the business can move from promise to commercial service.
Is JOBY a Good Stock to Buy?
On the Street, Joby Aviation divides opinions with a Hold consensus rating. Out of seven analysts, one rates it a Buy, five Hold, and one rates it a Sell. The average JOBY stock price target is $12.58, implying a 9.24% downside from the current price.
