Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian talks to ‘The Claman Countdown’ about the company’s development at CES 2025.
With new technology in space launch, Delta Air Lines lives up to its motto of “keep climbing” by using the latest cranes and new partnerships. Delta CEO Ed Bastian talked about the airline’s plans for the future and hinted that air taxis could soon be flying the skies.
“You’re going to start seeing them in the sky in the next few years,” Bastian said FOX Business’ Liz Claman during CES 2025.
During this event, Delta Air Lines, celebrating its centennial, presented its vision for the next century. The vision includes using artificial intelligence and fostering new and existing partnerships with companies in technology, ride sharing and aviation industry.
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The CEO highlighted plans to introduce a home-to-airport air taxi service, through a partnership with Joby Aviation and its all-electric vertical take-off (eVTOL) aircraft.
“They [Joby] they’ve gone through all the certification processes,” he said. “The FAA, by the way, is a big proponent of bringing that mobility service to the sky because they understand that the problem is what’s on the ground and all the congestion that’s down there. So our ability to work with Joby is really impressed with the technology. I think they are the leaders in the space.”
Delta CEO Ed Bastian predicts we’ll see sky taxis in the “next few years” as the airline partners with Joby Aviation (“Courtesy of Joby Aviation. (c) Joby Aero, Inc.”)
Joby is “engaged in a multi-year testing program with the FAA to certify our vehicle for commercial operations and has completed the first three of five phases,” according to airline website.
The December 2024 press release also highlighted its recent milestone in the air taxi certification process with the completion of aerostructure testing with FAA representatives present.
As the certification process progresses, Bastian he explained the FAA’s awareness when it comes to downtime.
A Delta Air Lines Bombardier Boeing 757-200 aircraft is seen arriving on final approach to land at New York JFK John F. Kennedy International Airport. (Photo by Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images) (Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“They realize the problem is what’s on the field and all the hustle and bustle that’s down there,” Bastian said.
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He also detailed how air taxis will work and reduce travel time.
“You can take a Joby from, say, New York, where you live, from Westchester County, land at JFK [John F. Kennedy International Airport],” he said. “How long is that trip?, probably two hours… You can do it in 15 minutes and be right in the Delta SkyMiles club, and then your next stop is… [inside] your plane.”
Bastian concluded, suggesting that “it’s all about value here.”
Joby Aviation Founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt has the latest on flying car development at ‘Barron’s Roundtable.’
