Air Taxis Poised for Mass Adoption as Honeywell Survey Highlights Consumer Interest

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Honeywell released new survey results showing nearly all U.S. airline fliers (98%) would consider taking an electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle, or eVTOL, as part of their travel journey. Commonly referred to as air taxis, these piloted advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft are poised to enter passenger service in select overseas locations and then will take flight in the U.S. The survey of 1,000 U.S. adult fliers also found that almost 8 out of 10 respondents would travel more often if they could take an air taxi to the airport (79%).

Across travelers, Honeywell researchers determined that the possibility of reducing overall travel time was the biggest factor in their interest. Air taxis are seen as a much faster way to transition to and from busy airports or between nearby cities, with almost half of respondents citing “not having to sit in traffic” as a key motivator (47%). Other factors include ease of use and convenience (61%), cost (61%), minimal environmental impact (44%) and the fun factor – with “novelty/curiosity” cited by 44% of fliers.

“Anyone who travels regularly knows that the journey to and from the airport often adds unwelcome time, cost and hassle to the overall trip,” said Dave Shilliday, vice president and general manager of Advanced Air Mobility at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies. “Air taxis can offer a safe, fast and innovative alternative to traditional transport methods. Our research indicates significant appetite for such services already exists – but like any new technology, consumers need to feel confident about safety, cost and reliability. Air taxis may sound like science fiction to some, but we’re not far from a time when they could become a regular part of travel.”

Who’s looking to take an air taxi? Millennials are most enthusiastic about flying in an air taxi (65%), compared to 58% of overall respondents, as are those who flew more than 10 times in the past year (67%), compared with those who have taken 10 or fewer roundtrips (56%). Business travelers are also more interested than those flying for pleasure (60% versus 45%).

The top reason for utilizing an air taxi is traveling between cities that are within 100 miles of each other (41%). For example, an eVTOL is expected to take well under an hour to travel from New York to Philadelphia, compared to two to three hours by car. Beyond traveling between cities, other desired uses include travel from a suburban airport to a city center (31%) or traveling to a connecting flight in a nearby city (28%).

In addition to looking at consumer interest in air taxis, the research also highlighted safety as an understandable focus for all fliers, with almost two thirds (65%) saying it is an important consideration. This is the case for all type of travelers – whether occasional or frequent, business or pleasure – and demonstrates that the industry must ensure that safety is the highest priority.

Honeywell’s Advanced Air Mobility business unit develops nose-to-tail aviation technologies for the aircraft of today and tomorrow. The business unit also collaborates with AAM customers on several fronts, moving with the speed, efficiency and agility that new aircraft developers need. Honeywell’s longstanding relationships with OEMs, regulators and partners helps AAM companies accelerate the integration, adoption and certification of next-generation aircraft.