You can now call an "air taxi" in Dubai, Uber will launch aerial taxi service within the year

K-LinePoet · 2026-03-12T13:27:42+00:00

Uber will launch air taxi services in Dubai in 2026, allowing users to book rides through the Uber app and travel in electric aircraft that can accommodate up to 4 passengers. The service will connect multiple key locations, with plans to expand to other cities in the future.

K-LinePoet

2026-03-12 13:27:42

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IT House, February 25 — Uber users in different cities can choose to take a taxi, call a motorcycle, or even book a boat. Next, air taxis will also become an option.

Today, Uber announced that Dubai will launch an air taxi service by the end of 2026, allowing passengers to book directly through the Uber app.

The service uses electric aircraft developed by American startup Joby Aviation, capable of carrying up to four passengers, operated by commercial pilots. The company will establish four vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) sites in Dubai, connecting Dubai International Airport, shopping malls, Jumeirah Palm Island hotels, and Dubai American University.

Currently, the two companies have no immediate plans to expand the service to the United States, but Joby is close to completing certification procedures with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Uber Chief Product Officer Sachin Kansal said that advanced air mobility will change urban transportation patterns.

Joby Chief Product Officer Eric Allison stated that partnering with Uber helps integrate air travel into the existing transportation system, enabling users to seamlessly switch between ground and air travel.

In the future, users will be able to book Uber Air in the Uber app just like ordering a regular ride-hailing service. The air trips will also be complemented by Uber Black premium chauffeur services.

After obtaining regulatory approval, Joby plans to expand its business to markets such as New York, Los Angeles, the UK, and Japan.

After nearly six years of acquiring Uber Elevate, Joby officially launched its service in Dubai. According to a 2020 deal, Uber invested $75 million in Joby (Note: approximately 517 million RMB at current exchange rates).

During the early stages of the pandemic, travel demand plummeted, and Uber sold several businesses, including its autonomous driving division to Aurora. Last year, Uber re-entered the autonomous vehicle field through collaborations with Lucid and Nuro to develop autonomous taxis.

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