For decades, the idea of flying taxis has felt like a sci-fi fantasy—but companies like Volocopter are turning that dream into a near-future reality. With its groundbreaking VoloCity aircraft, Volocopter aims to be the first to bring certified eVTOL air taxis to European skies—and, eventually, cities around the world. Backed by major players like Microsoft and Toyota and fresh off a headline-making test flight at the Palace of Versailles, the VoloCity is redefining what urban transportation could look like. Here’s a look at how this innovative vehicle is taking shape—and why the age of air taxis may be arriving sooner than you think.

Volocopter has lofty ambitions—literally. The German company claims its VoloCity aircraft will become the first internationally certified eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) air taxi and the first to launch in Europe. If everything goes according to plan, the skies above our cities could soon be as full of air taxis as the streets are with cars—or as skies already are with drones, which currently number 1.6 million units in Europe alone.

Although widespread adoption of air taxis is still a few years out, Volocopter is already making history. One of its most remarkable milestones took place in August 2024, when a VoloCity completed a vertical takeoff and landing at the historic Palace of Versailles. The former royal residence served as a fitting stage for a vehicle crowned—quite literally—with a distinctive circular frame housing 18 small propellers. This “crown” doesn’t just give the VoloCity a regal silhouette—it also makes it four times quieter than a conventional helicopter.

Beneath the crown is a sleek, minimalist cabin—something between a helicopter cockpit and a 1980s NASA space shuttle. But most riders won’t be focusing on the interior. Thanks to large wraparound windows, passengers will be treated to panoramic views of the cityscapes below. The first-generation VoloCity will seat two people and cover short urban hops of up to 12 miles. At launch, one seat will be reserved for a pilot, but as autonomous systems evolve, both seats will be available to passengers. A larger model, the VoloRegion, is also in the works—it aims to carry four passengers over much longer distances at speeds up to 155 mph.

Volocopter isn’t just designing hardware; it’s also investing heavily in smart software. The company boasts that its “state-of-the-art assistance systems and over 100 microprocessors” provide exceptional stability and control. It has also developed VoloIQ, a cloud-based digital platform to manage safety operations, including real-time weather monitoring.

Still skeptical about air taxis becoming part of everyday life? Consider this: Major global players like BlackRock, Microsoft, Toyota, and Intel have already partnered with and invested in Volocopter. That level of backing speaks volumes.

With test flights already completed in cities like Dubai, Helsinki, Singapore, Paris—and yes, New York City—the dream of flying taxis is quickly becoming a reality. As a New Yorker, I can’t help but picture these futuristic machines painted yellow and gracefully zipping over Manhattan. Let’s hope that day arrives sooner rather than later.

Since 2011, Volocopter has continually improved its initial VoloCity air taxi prototype, conducting thousands of test flights in the process. It envisions the vehicle being used in cities across the world. It is building a technological ecosystem to ensure that it performs safely and to a high standard across a range of environments.

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