Your next Uber ride might bypass traffic entirely. The company announced a partnership with Joby Aviation to launch Uber Air, an electric air taxi service set to begin in Dubai later this year. Passengers will be able to reserve a seat directly through the Uber app.
"We've long believed in the power of advanced air mobility to transform urban travel," said Sachin Kansal, Uber's chief product officer. The service aims to seamlessly connect ground and sky travel within a familiar app experience.
The aircraft, carrying four passengers and a pilot, use tilting propellers for vertical takeoff and can reach speeds up to 200 mph while operating quietly. Joby executive Eric Allison described it as "a new layer of urban transportation" designed to integrate into city life.
Dubai will be the first market, with dedicated hubs planned. Pricing is expected to be similar to Uber's premium rides. While U.S. expansion requires FAA certification, Joby has completed extensive flight testing, targeting commercial passenger service by year's end.