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The World’s First Pay-Per-Flight Air Taxi is Taking Off in Austin, Texas

By Nick Hayden

For decades, flying cars and personal aircraft have been the stuff of science fiction. But in Austin, Texas, the future has arrived.

LIFT Aircraft has chosen Austin as the launch site for the world’s first pay-per-flight air taxi, HEXA—a revolutionary electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft that lets anyone experience personal flight.

This isn’t a concept or a prototype. At SXSW 2025, people are getting behind the controls and flying HEXA as the pilot.

Austin is the ideal city for this milestone. As one of the nation’s fastest-growing tech hubs, Austin has already embraced autonomous vehicles, AI-driven mobility solutions, and electric transportation. The entire state is quickly becoming a proving ground for the future of mobility.

Why Austin? The Future of Mobility is Here


Austin is one of the first U.S. cities to fully adopt self-driving taxis, with fleets of autonomous vehicles already operating downtown. It’s also home to some of the biggest transportation disruptors in the world.

With heavy traffic congestion and rapid urban expansion, Austin is the perfect place to test the viability of air taxis as an alternative mode of transportation. LIFT Aircraft is proving that eVTOL technology isn’t just a futuristic dream—it’s something people can experience today.

How LIFT Aircraft and HEXA Became Reality


Founded in 2017 by Matt Chasen, LIFT Aircraft set out to make personal flight accessible to the public. The HEXA eVTOL was designed to be safe, intuitive, and affordable, allowing anyone to fly after a short training session.

The aircraft made its first public debut at SXSW 2019, where it generated widespread excitement. Now, at SXSW 2025, LIFT Aircraft is letting attendees actually fly HEXA themselves—a groundbreaking step forward for urban air mobility.

How It Works: Flying Has Never Been This Easy


Unlike traditional aircraft, HEXA is classified as an ultralight vehicle, meaning it does not require a pilot’s license to fly.

  • Less than an hour of training needed
  • Controlled with a simple joystick
  • Equipped with 18 independent motors for maximum safety
  • Single flight experience costs $249
  • Bundle of four flights available for $747 (Buy 3, Get 1 Free)

Major Milestones and Financial Backing


Since its founding in November 2017, LIFT Aircraft has achieved groundbreaking milestones, pushing forward the future of personal aviation and urban air mobility. Below is a detailed timeline of major accomplishments:

  • 2018-2019: Early Development and Public Launch
  • July 2018 – First successful unmanned full-scale flight of HEXA in Lago Vista, Texas.
  • October 2018 – First manned flight of HEXA, piloted by CEO Matt Chasen.
  • December 2018 – Public unveiling of HEXA in Austin, Texas, covered by major media.
  • March 2019 – HEXA's first public demonstration at SXSW 2019, marking its official debut.
  • March 2019 – HEXA is demonstrated at Amazon’s MARS conference, where Jeff Bezos experiences the aircraft firsthand.
  • 2020-2022: U.S. Air Force Partnership and Commercial Readiness
  • March 2020 – LIFT Aircraft is awarded an R&D contract from the U.S. Air Force to study HEXA for emergency medical services and military applications.
  • April 2020 – Selected for the Air Force Agility Prime Program, a major step in regulatory acceptance and integration.
  • August 2020 – $2.5 million contract awarded by the U.S. Air Force Research Lab to expand HEXA’s flight testing envelope.
  • August 2020 – HEXA conducts a manned flight demonstration for the Secretary of the U.S. Air Force, Barbara Barrett, at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas.
  • October 2020 – First production HEXA airframe is completed and shipped.
  • 2021-2022 - Successful Crowdfunding on StartEngine. LIFT Aircraft raised over $4.4 million through equity crowdfunding on StartEngine, attracting thousands of investors and generating significant public interest in HEXA’s commercial rollout.
  • March 2023 – LIFT Aircraft launches the world’s first eVTOL pay-per-flight experience, beginning a U.S. tour with public flights.
  • 2023 – U.S. Air Force grants airworthiness approval for HEXA under the Agility Prime Program for military and emergency response testing.
  • 2023 – Raises $20 million in funding to scale production, bringing total funding to $32.8 million from investors including North Equity, Decisive Point, and SpringTime Ventures.
  • 2024 – FAA establishes a new "Powered-Lift" aircraft category, specifically regulating eVTOL aircraft like HEXA, paving the way for broader urban air mobility adoption.
  • 2024 – HEXA surpasses 4,000 prepaid flight reservations, demonstrating strong demand.
  • 2024 – LIFT Aircraft announces international expansion to Japan, in partnership with Marubeni Aerospace, set to launch during World Expo 2025 in Osaka.
  • 2025 – LIFT Aircraft plans to expand HEXA pay-per-flight experiences across the U.S. while beginning commercial operations in Japan.
  • 2025 – Increased fleet production to scale HEXA operations and launch additional urban air mobility trials.
  • 2026 and Beyond – Exploring global city partnerships for eVTOL air taxi services, aiming to integrate HEXA into urban transportation systems and make personal flight a daily reality.

What’s Next? The Future of Air Taxis in Austin and Beyond


With strong military partnerships, regulatory progress, and commercial momentum, LIFT Aircraft is leading the eVTOL revolution from Austin, Texas. The future of personal air mobility is no longer a concept—it’s taking flight.

LIFT Aircraft’s vision isn’t just about recreational flights. The long-term goal is to integrate eVTOLs into urban transportation systems, offering air taxis that help reduce congestion and revolutionize daily commutes.

  • Fleet deployments for urban air mobility
  • On-demand air taxi services for city travel
  • Partnerships with major metro areas to build flight hubs

Austin is the perfect place to launch this new era of flight. The city’s combination of tech innovation, transportation challenges, and progressive regulatory environment makes it a real-world testbed for the future of air travel.