Joby Makes Bold Move: Acquires Blade’s Passenger Business for $125M

In a major leap toward making air taxis a part of everyday urban travel, Joby Aviation has announced it will acquire Blade Air Mobility’s entire passenger business in a deal worth up to $125 million. The acquisition gives Joby immediate access to a robust network of urban terminals and a trusted brand name in the short-hop air travel market.

With this move, Joby isn’t just buying a service; it’s buying credibility, infrastructure, and tens of thousands of loyal passengers.

What’s Included in the Deal?

Joby’s purchase covers:

All of Blade’s passenger operations in the U.S. and Europe
Blade’s premium brand name
12+ terminal locations, including Blade lounges at JFK and Newark Airports, and key hubs in Manhattan

The acquisition strategically positions Joby in some of the world’s most important urban air mobility (UAM) markets, including the busy New York metro area, where Blade flew over 50,000 passengers in 2024 alone.

From Helicopter to eVTOL

Blade currently operates using helicopters on short urban routes, mostly between airports and high-income districts like Manhattan and The Hamptons. But it was always a stepping stone toward quieter, cleaner, electric flight.

Now, Joby plans to use Blade’s infrastructure to slowly transition passengers from helicopters to its all-electric, emissions-free eVTOL aircraft. It’s a shift both companies have had in mind for years, and now it’s happening under one roof.

Who’s Leading What?

Blade’s founder and CEO, Rob Wiesenthal, will continue to lead the Blade business as a wholly owned subsidiary of Joby.
Blade’s medical transport division (which focuses on organ delivery and critical care) will spin off into a new public company called Strata Critical Medical, but will partner with Joby for future VTOL-based missions.

Why Now?

Joby is gearing up for commercial air taxi flights in Dubai in 2026, and this acquisition provides the operational expertise, customer base, and real-world testing grounds it needs to scale quickly.

Joby is also in the final stages of FAA certification for its eVTOL aircraft, with Type Inspection flight testing slated for early next year, a crucial step before passenger operations can begin in the U.S.

What They’re Saying:

“This is a strategically important acquisition that will support the successful launch of Joby’s commercial operations in Dubai, our subsequent global rollout, and our continued leadership in the sector,” said JoeBen Bevirt, Founder & CEO of Joby.

“Blade was founded to democratize short-distance air travel. Joby is the perfect partner to bring that dream to life,” added Rob Wiesenthal, CEO of Blade.

Aviationext Insight:

This isn’t just a business deal; it’s a turning point for the future of air mobility. Blade has been the “Uber for helicopters” for nearly a decade, and now with Joby’s electric aircraft tech, the two companies are poised to reshape how people move across crowded cities.