Joby vs Archer vs Lilium: Which Flying Taxi Company Will Actually Win?

Three Flying Taxi Companies Racing to Win

Three companies (Joby vs Archer vs Lilium) are racing to launch flying taxis. All three have real aircraft, real funding and probably launch period.

But only one will really succeed. The others will probably struggle. So which one will win?

Let’s compare Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, and Lilium directly. We’ll look at the core areas: money, aircraft, timelines, and plans. Then I will share with you my honest opinion about who wins.

Quick Overview: The Three Companies

Joby Aviation is a California company founded in 2009. Joby has been building flying taxis for over 15 years. Joby has $976 million in funding. Toyota, Intel, JetBlue, Delta, and United Airlines all support Joby. Joby plans to launch in Dubai in 2026, then the U.S. in 2027.

Archer Aviation is an American company founded in 2018. Archer has $550 million in funding. Stellantis (a huge car company) is backing Archer. United Airlines will buy Archer aircraft. Archer plans to launch in the U.S. in 2027.

Lilium is a German company founded in 2015. Lilium has $350 million in funding. Lilium invented a new kind of flying taxi with jet engines. Lilium plans to launch in Europe in 2027-2028. But Lilium doesn’t have big corporate backers like Joby and Archer.

All three are serious companies. But they’re in different positions.

Comparing The Money

Here’s the simplest comparison:

Joby: $976 million
Archer: $550 million (+ Stellantis factory support)
Lilium: $350 million

Joby has the most money. Archer has good money plus Stellantis backing. Lilium has the least money.

This matters because building flying taxis costs a lot. Every year, these companies spend $60-100 million on development.

Joby can develop for many years. Archer can develop for many years. Lilium can develop for maybe 4-5 years at current spending.

The money tells a story: Joby and Archer are in good shape. Lilium is on a deadline (but all depends on future funding chance).

Comparing The Aircraft

Each company built a different aircraft.

Joby’s Aircraft (called S4)

• Carries 5 people (4 passengers + 1 pilot)
• Range: 150 miles
• Speed: 150 mph
• Uses electric motors (conventional design)
• Design: Proven and simple

Joby Flying Car (Image Credit: jobyaviation.com)

Archer’s Aircraft (called Midnight)

• Carries 5 people (4 passengers + 1 pilot)
• Range: 100 miles
• Speed: 150 mph
• Uses electric motors (conventional design)
• Design: Made with help from Stellantis

Archer Aviation Midnight (Image Credit: archer.com)

Lilium’s Aircraft (called Lilium Jet)

• Carries 6 people (5 passengers + 1 pilot)
• Range: 150+ miles
• Speed: 160+ mph
• Uses jet engines powered by electricity (NEW design)
• Design: More powerful but more complex

Lilium Jet (Image Credit: jet.lilium.com)

Lilium’s design is more innovative. Lilium invented something new. But innovative is not always better. Joby and Archer use conventional designs that are simpler and easier to build.

Here’s the issue: regulators have never approved a jet-powered flying taxi before. Lilium’s design will take longer to get approved. Joby and Archer use designs regulators already understand.

Comparing The Timeline

When will each company launch?

Joby: 2026 in Dubai, then 2027 in the U.S.
Archer: 2027 in the U.S.
Lilium: 2027-2028 in Europe

The main thins is – Joby launches first. That’s important. Joby will get lot of experience and can fix problems easily. Joby can build customers first.

Archer launches second. That’s okay. Archer will still be early to market.

Lilium launches latest and its timeline is risky. The company’s new jet design might take longer to get approved. If approval takes extra time, Lilium could launch in 2029 or later.

In a race where timing matters, Joby wins. Archer comes second and Lilium third.

Comparing The Support

Who’s supporting each company?

Joby’s Support

• Toyota: manufacturing knowledge
• Intel: technology expertise
• Delta, United, JetBlue: airlines that will use the service
• DARPA: U.S. government support

Joby has support from car companies, technology companies, airlines, and the government. That’s powerful.

Archer’s Support

• Stellantis: building factories for Archer
• United Airlines: will buy aircraft and operate routes

Archer has support from a giant car company and a major airline. This is strong but focused.

Lilium’s Support

• Venture capital firms (investment companies)
• That’s it. No big car company. No airline customer.

Lilium has money from investors but not from big strategic companies.

In business, support from big companies matters. It means those companies believe in you. Joby has the most diverse support. Archer has focused support. Lilium is support-weak.

Comparing The Markets

Each company is focusing on different markets.

Joby wants to be global. Joby starts in Dubai, then launches worldwide.

Archer focuses on the U.S. market. Archer is partnering with United Airlines. Archer is building U.S. cities.

Lilium focuses on Europe. Lilium doesn’t want to compete with Joby and Archer in the U.S.

This is actually smart strategy by Lilium. Instead of competing with Joby everywhere, Lilium focuses on Europe where the market is slightly different.

But here’s the reality: the U.S. market is bigger and richer than the European market. If Joby and Archer launch successfully in the U.S., Lilium will be behind from day one.

Simple Comparison

FUNDING
Joby: $976M | Archer: $550M | Lilium: $350M

TIMELINE
Joby: 2026 Dubai / 2027 U.S. | Archer: 2027 U.S. | Lilium: 2027-28 Europe

AIRCRAFT TYPE
Joby: Conventional electric | Archer: Conventional electric | Lilium: Innovative jet hybrid

MANUFACTURING
Joby: Building capacity | Archer: Stellantis help | Lilium: Building from scratch

BIG COMPANY BACKING
Joby: YES (Toyota, Intel) | Archer: YES (Stellantis) | Lilium: NO

AIRLINE CUSTOMERS
Joby: Maybe | Archer: YES (United) | Lilium: None yet

MARKET STRATEGY
Joby: Global | Archer: U.S. focused | Lilium: Europe focused

BIGGEST RISK
Joby: Timeline slips | Archer: Stellantis backing ends | Lilium: Regulatory delays + low funding

COMPETITIVE POSITION
Joby: Clear leader | Archer: Strong #2 | Lilium: #3 (risky)

My Opinion: Amit’s Honest Review (Joby vs Archer vs Lilium)

I have followed these three companies and here’s what I really think:

Joby will probably win. Joby has the most money, the best support, and the fastest timeline. It started building in 2009 when others were just ideas. Joby will launch first in Dubai in 2026. That experience matters. Joby will dominate globally.

Archer will be successful as #2. Archer has Stellantis support, which is huge. Archer has United Airlines as a customer. Archer will own the U.S. market. Archer doesn’t need to beat Joby globally. If Archer succeeds in the U.S., Archer will be worth billions.

Lilium has the biggest problems to solve. Lilium has great innovation but the riskiest timeline. Lilium’s jet technology is cool but takes longer to approve. The company only has $350 million. If Lilium doesn’t launch by 2028, it will run out of money and in the result it might get acquired or merge with another company.

My prediction for 2030:

• Joby is the global market leader
• Archer owns the U.S. market
• Lilium either gets acquired or merges with a European company
• EHang (not in this comparison) owns Asia and is very profitable

But here’s what’s important: all three companies will probably create value. The eVTOL market is $94 billion. That’s big enough for multiple successful companies. Joby might be worth $20 billion. Archer might be worth $5-10 billion. Lilium might be worth $3-5 billion.

Joby wins the overall race. But Archer and Lilium can still be successful.

Conclusion

If you had to pick one winner, pick Joby. Joby has the capital, the support, the timeline, and the global vision.

If you want the safer #2 pick, pick Archer. Archer has Stellantis and United Airlines. Archer is focused on the U.S. market, which is huge.

If you respect innovation, respect Lilium. But Lilium has the most risk. Lilium is innovating but running out of time.

By 2030, we’ll know who won. For now, Joby is the favorite.

Read More About These Companies

Want to learn more? Read our individual company articles:

• Joby Aviation: The Flying Taxi Company Backed by Toyota
• Archer Aviation: United Airlines Flying Taxi Partner
• Lilium: The Jet-Powered eVTOL Company

Also read: eVTOL Funding 2026: How Much Money Did Each Company Raise?

Questions?

Contact Air Taxi Central at contact@airtaxicentral.com or reach Amit at amit@airtaxicentral.com.

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