New electric air taxis from Uber could take flight soon
Uber is one step closer to helping customers take flight for everyday travel with a new fleet of air taxis.
The company announced details of its partnership with Joby Aviation in a blog post Wednesday. The new partnership will let riders book all-electric air taxis directly in the Uber app, just like requesting a ride on the ground.
Uber Air is set to be operational in Dubai later this year, with long-term plans to touch down in major U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, once the Federal Aviation Administration completes the final certification process.
How Uber Air works
Riders will enter a destination in the regular Uber app with one-tap booking, according to the company's blog post.
If an air-taxi option is available for their route, "Uber Air powered by Joby" will appear alongside ground-based choices.
Once selected, the app books the entire multimodal trip, including an Uber Black car to the vertiport, the Joby air taxi flight, and another Uber pickup at the destination, according to Uber.
Joby's pilot-flown, four-passenger aircraft are designed for vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL), which operates from a small rooftop or purpose-built pads, rather than traditional airports.
Each aircraft features six tilting propellers, large panoramic windows, and is engineered for low noise, which allows it to blend into city soundscapes.
How much does Uber Air cost?
Uber said pricing will be similar to an Uber Black fare for the aerial portion of the trip.
Riders will see all-inclusive, per-passenger upfront pricing before booking, the company said.
Uber noted that exact pricing will be released closer to launch.
What to know about speed, safety, and range of Joby aircraft
The all-electric aircraft can travel at speeds of up to 200 mph with a range of about 100 miles per charge. The pilot-flown aircraft uses multiple redundant systems, four independent battery packs, and a triple-redundant flight computer, which are intended to enhance reliability and meet FAA standards, according to Uber.
The companies have already completed more than 50,000 miles of flight testing across its fleet and are in the final stage of FAA type certification, Uber said.
Where is Uber Air launching?
Dubai is the first market for Uber Air, the company said, where Joby has an exclusive agreement to operate for six years.
The initial routes will connect Dubai International Airport (DXB), Dubai Mall, Atlantis The Royal, and American University in Dubai.
Uber and Joby have plans to expand to LA, New York City, the U.K., and Japan, pending regulatory approvals and vertiport buildouts in those locations, the company said.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to remove mention of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
