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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Adam Gabbatt in New York

Super fly: can an electric aircraft spark a quiet revolution in New York travel?

People standing by an electric helicopter taxi
Workers and a test pilot prepare a Joby Aviation electric aircraft for takeoff from JFK airport on Monday. Photograph: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

It’s neither a bird nor a plane, and it is vehemently not a helicopter, but instead this week some New Yorkers witnessed an “electric vertical takeoff and landing” aircraft buzzing around the city, which developers say could revolutionize travel in New York.

Joby Aviation’s fully electric aircraft conducted multiple flights from JFK airport in Queens to Manhattan in recent days, which would have turned heads to anyone looking up. It’s a futuristic-looking design, somewhere between helicopter and drone, and is capable of speeds up to 200mph.

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