Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines, speaks on “The Claman Countdown” about the company’s developments at CES 2025.
With the new technology in aerospace takes off, Delta Air Lines fulfills its motto “keep climbing” with the use of the latest airline platforms and new partnerships. Delta CEO Ed Bastian discussed the airline’s plans for the future and hinted that air taxis could soon take to the skies.
“You will start to see them in the sky in the next few years,” Bastian said. Liz Claman of FOX Business during CES 2025.
During this event, Delta Air Lines, celebrating its centennial, presented its vision for the next century. The vision includes the use of artificial intelligence and the promotion of new and current partnerships with companies in technology, ride sharing and aerospace industries.
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The CEO highlighted plans to offer a home-to-airport air taxi service, through its partnership with Joby Aviation and its all-electric vertical take-off (eVTOL) aircraft.
“They [Joby] “We have gone through all the certification processes,” he said. “The FAA, by the way, has been a big proponent of putting this mobility service in the sky because they realize the problem is what’s happening on the ground and all the congestion that comes with that. So our ability to work with Joby really impressed with the technology. I think they are the leaders in the field.”
Delta CEO Ed Bastian predicts we’ll see air taxis in the “next couple of 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 milestones,” according to the aerospace company website.
A December 2024 press release also highlighted its recent milestone in the air taxi certification process with the completion of testing of the aerostructure in the presence of FAA representation.
As the certification process progresses, Bastian explained the FAA’s awareness when it comes to congestion.
Delta Air Lines Bombardier Boeing 757-200 seen arriving, on final approach for landing at JFK John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. (Photo by Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images) (Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“They realize the problem is what’s happening on the ground and all the congestion that exists out there,” Bastian said.
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He also detailed how air taxis would work and reduce travel times.
“You can take a Joby, say, from New York, where you live, from Westchester County, and land at JFK. [John F. Kennedy International Airport]” he said. “How long does it take on the road?, probably two hours… You can do it in 15 minutes and be right inside a Delta SkyMiles club, then your next stop is… [inside] your plane.”
Bastian concluded by proposing that “it’s all about value.”
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