Self-flying taxis might sound like something out of The Jetsons, but in true Miami fashion, the future is coming in hot. Miami International Airport is set to become one of the first U.S. hubs to explore autonomous air taxis, thanks to a flashy new partnership between Miami-Dade County and Wisk Aero, an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company backed by Boeing and Google co-founder Larry Page.
RECOMMENDED: Miami International Airport was ranked one of the most expensive airports in the U.S.
Here’s the flight plan: Wisk and the Miami-Dade Aviation Department signed a deal in June to start prepping for takeoff. That means identifying key locations, including MIA, Opa-locka Executive and Miami Executive Airports, for “vertiports” where these electric, self-flying aircraft can land, lift off and shuttle passengers across South Florida without the hassle of highways. No county funds are being used to get the project off the ground.
Wisk’s sixth-generation model is designed to seat four people (plus luggage), lifts off like a helicopter, cruises like a plane and flies without a pilot. But don’t worry—each flight is monitored by a human on the ground from a command center. And while these futuristic rides won’t replace your Uber tomorrow, Wisk hopes to earn FAA certification by 2030.
The goal is to make zipping from Miami to Fort Lauderdale as easy (and affordable) as calling a car, minus the bumper-to-bumper crawl on I-95. Each aircraft can fly about 90 miles on a single charge and the company’s targeting prices on par with rideshares.
This isn’t Miami’s first brush with next-gen tech: MIA has also rolled out autonomous wheelchairs and navigation apps for visually impaired travelers. Now, with Wisk on board, the city is leaning all the way into its “tech hub meets tropical playground” identity.
The University of Miami is also joining the party. Through its Engineering and Aviation Mobility Initiative, the school will work with Wisk on research and development, focusing on operations, regulations, safety and battery technologies.
You can’t hail a flying taxi at baggage claim just yet, but if all goes according to plan, Miami may soon be the place where your next airport transfer takes off above traffic, not through it.