Electric air taxi makes a test flight over the New York area

Is it a bird, is it a plane, is it… a taxi? The next time you need to hail a taxi, maybe look up at the sky.

Okay, this might be a little premature. While flying cars aren’t quite affordable yet, electric air taxis may be getting close to reality in three states.

Blade Air Mobility and Beta Technologies have successfully completed their first test flight over the New York area. A trial run of the ALIA-250 took place Tuesday at Westchester County Airport.

The developers say the electric plane can carry up to six people. It takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter, but with one significant difference: its all-electric propulsion system produces ten times less noise.

This would be welcome news for those who are worried about noise pollution, especially in New York City.

“This is a historic moment for Blade, New York and the urban air mobility industry,” said Rob Wiesenthal, CEO of Blade. “This demonstration is an important milestone in our transition from helicopters to electric vertical aircraft and we are delighted that our partners at BETA have developed the right aircraft with the required range, payload and noise profile for use in our key markets, including our home base in New York.”

Blade agreed to purchase 20 aircraft models two years ago and plans to use them on routes between its US terminals. It was not immediately clear when the planes would be released for passenger use.