Uber's App Now Offers Flights: Air Taxi Service Set for Dubai Debut

Uber is preparing to add a vertical dimension to its service. This week, the company demonstrated its upcoming air taxi booking feature, with plans to introduce it in Dubai before the year ends. The service, called Uber Air, will integrate directly into the existing app, allowing users to book a seat on an electric aircraft built by Joby Aviation.

Booking a flight will mirror the process for a car. For supported routes, Uber Air will appear as an option. The app will coordinate both the aerial journey and a ground-based Uber Black to transport passengers to and from designated 'vertiports.' Joby's aircraft, designed for urban environments, carry a pilot and up to four passengers with luggage at speeds reaching 200 miles per hour.

While the convenience is clear, the economics raise questions. Employing a certified pilot for each flight suggests a premium cost, yet Uber maintains the price will be comparable to its Uber Black car service. The company and Joby view Dubai as a first step, with ambitions to expand to cities like New York and Los Angeles, pending regulatory approval.

That expansion faces skepticism. Aviation expert Robert Ditchey recently expressed doubt about the viability of such services in dense U.S. cities, citing safety concerns over urban operations and the challenge of achieving scale without significant subsidy. Regulatory pathways exist, including executive actions from the Trump administration aimed at testing advanced air mobility, but practical and financial hurdles remain substantial.

The partnership between Uber and Joby, solidified when Joby purchased Uber's air taxi division in 2021, continues to drive the project forward. A recent acquisition of Blade Air Mobility's passenger business further indicates a strategy to eventually electrify existing short-haul flight routes.

Source: Engadget