Joby Aviation acquires Blade Air Mobility for $125 million
Electric air taxi pioneer Joby Aviation has announced a landmark acquisition of Blade Air Mobility’s passenger helicopter ride-share business, in a deal valued at up to $125 million. The transaction marks a strategic leap for Joby, giving it immediate access to a highly developed network of urban air mobility infrastructure and affluent customer demand across the U.S. and Europe.
A Deal with Strategic Altitude
The agreement includes Blade’s brand and passenger operations, but notably excludes Blade’s medical division, which specializes in transporting human organs and will remain an independent entity. Under the new structure, Blade’s existing CEO and founder Rob Wiesenthal will continue to lead the passenger business, which will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Joby Aviation.
Joby founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt hailed the acquisition as a “strategically important” step in accelerating the company’s commercial launch plans — starting in Dubai and expanding globally. He emphasized that the integration of Joby’s advanced air taxi operation software into Blade’s booking platform will enable seamless scaling once electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft are cleared for commercial service.
A Gateway to Key Urban Markets
Blade’s digital-first platform, launched in 2014, doesn’t operate its own aircraft but partners with third-party operators, offering booking services on short-distance helicopter flights. The company has gained strong traction among premium travelers commuting to and from New York City, The Hamptons, and European hotspots like Nice, Monaco, and Saint-Tropez.
In 2024 alone, Blade transported over 50,000 passengers, reinforcing its value proposition in bypassing urban congestion for time-sensitive, luxury-focused consumers. The acquisition grants Joby immediate access to 12 terminals in high-demand regions, including lounges and terminals at JFK, Newark, Manhattan’s East and West Sides, and Wall Street.
Blade Today, Air Taxis Tomorrow
Though Blade currently operates helicopters, the long-term vision is clear: Joby’s electric air taxis will replace Blade’s rotorcraft services, dramatically reducing emissions and noise while maintaining fast, efficient travel across urban areas.
Joby has been developing its eVTOL aircraft since 2009, and went public in 2021 via a SPAC merger backed by tech luminaries Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn) and Mark Pincus (Zynga). With backing from Toyota and years of R&D behind it, the company is now in the final stages of certification and production.
Deal Terms and Future Outlook
The acquisition includes a performance-based earnout, with $35 million of the purchase price held back pending Blade’s achievement of specific milestones and retention of key personnel.
This move solidifies Joby’s presence not just as an aircraft developer but as a soon-to-be global operator of electric air mobility services. With a robust network, a loyal high-end customer base, and now an established booking infrastructure, Joby is strategically positioned to lead the next evolution of urban air travel.
