Uber Enters Into a New Deal With Joby on Electric Air Taxis

UberTechnologies UBER introduced Uber Air, powered by Joby Aviation JOBY, a new offering that allows riders to book the latter’s all-electric air taxi directly through the former’s app. The service provides an early look at how customers will be able to integrate aerial mobility into their everyday travel. Joby plans to transport its first passengers later this year in Dubai, marking a significant milestone in the collaboration with Uber to expand multi-modal transportation options in cities worldwide.

Through the app, riders can access Uber Air powered by Joby by entering their destination in the “Where to?” field. If eligible, the air taxi option will appear alongside other ride choices. With a single selection, the app coordinates the entire journey, including Uber Black pickup and drop-off, creating a seamless door-to-door experience. Joby’s all-electric aircraft is designed to accommodate up to four passengers, offering spacious seating and large panoramic windows that provide expansive city views. Operated by a certified commercial pilot, the aircraft aims to deliver a modern and efficient way to travel above urban areas.

The aircraft is equipped with six tilting propellers that enable vertical takeoff and landing before transitioning into forward flight. It is capable of reaching speeds of up to 200 miles per hour and can travel up to 100 miles on a single charge.

Before launching commercial operations in the United States, the service must undergo rigorous testing and certification by the Federal Aviation Administration. Joby has completed more than 50,000 miles of flight testing across its fleet and has entered the final phase of the certification process, underscoring the progress toward passenger operations.

Uber’s leadership has emphasized that advanced air mobility has the potential to reshape urban transportation by enabling riders to book electric air taxis through a familiar, integrated platform that connects ground and aerial travel in a single, streamlined experience. Uber and Joby are no strangers, having collaborated on urban air mobility initiatives since 2019. In 2021, Joby acquired Uber’s Elevate division, which contributed significantly to the development of the sector through market selection frameworks, demand modeling and multi-modal operational planning.

In addition, the companies announced plans last year to integrate Blade’s commercial helicopter services into the Uber app in 2026, following Joby’s acquisition of Blade’s passenger business. This collaboration is expected to support the eventual global expansion of Joby’s electric air taxi services, pending regulatory approval, across markets including Dubai, New York, Los Angeles, the United Kingdom and Japan.

The current partnership strengthens Uber’s long-term strategy to evolve into a comprehensive mobility platform that integrates ground and aerial transportation within a single ecosystem. By embedding electric air taxis into its existing app infrastructure, Uber enhances user engagement, expands premium service offerings and positions itself at the forefront of next-generation urban mobility. The integration also enables Uber to leverage its global customer base, logistics expertise and brand recognition to accelerate adoption while diversifying revenue streams beyond traditional ride-hailing.

Joby’s main rival in the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) space is Archer Aviation ACHR. Archer Aviation continues to strengthen its position in the eVTOL market through technology-focused initiatives and international expansion. In January, Archer Aviation announced plans to develop and deploy next-generation Artificial Intelligence solutions for aviation using NVIDIA’s IGX Thor platform.

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