Airbus' Flying Taxi Takes off for the First Time
Airbus announced a significant step in its flying taxi program. On Wednesday, its full-scale "flying car" Vahana took its first flight.
The Vahana completed two short flights over the last two days, said the company in a statement. The first saw it climb 16 feet and stay airborne for 53 seconds. It successfully completed a second flight on Thursday.
Similar to a helicopter, the Vahana is a VTOL, or vertical take off and landing, vehicle. The test flights occurred in Oregon at the Pendleton Unmanned Aerial Systems Range.
The aircraft resembles a remote control drone, although much bigger. It measures 20.3 feet long, 18.7 feet wide, 9.2 feet tall and features eight rotors. Similar to other flying car prototypes, the Vahana is powered by electricity. It can sit one person inside its black canopy.
The aircraft is "self-piloted," or autonomous, and this test flight was flown without a human in the vehicle.
Airbus hopes to use Vahana as a way to revolutionize urban travel.
"We anticipate speeds will be 2-4x faster than cars or traffic, and have a flight range of about 50 miles (80 km)," reads Vahana's website. And not just a way to shuttle individuals, the VTOL could act as a cargo delivery platform, ambulance, mobile hospital or limousine, says the company.
Vahana is a project of Airbus' Silicon Valley outpost, A3 (pronounced A-cubed). The vehicle was conceived, designed and a working prototype built in less than two years since A3 's founding.
"In just under two years, Vahana took a concept sketch on a napkin and built a full-scale, self-piloted aircraft that has successfully completed its first flight," said Zach Lovering, Vahana's project executive, in a statement.
With hovering now complete, the team will start testing transitions and forward flight. CNN reports that Vahana executives want to start selling the aircraft by 2020.
Other transportation companies like Uber and Bell Helicopters are working on their own VTOL taxi systems that could one day compete with Airbus' Vahana project.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees