Uber and Joby Plan Dubai Air Taxis for 2026

Uber and Joby Aviation unveiled plans on Thursday to launch electric air taxi services in Dubai starting in 2026, marking the ride-hailing giant's entry into urban air mobility through seamless integration with its app. The partnership will allow users to book flights on Joby's electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft directly alongside ground rides, beginning with operations between four skyports in the United Arab Emirates city before expanding to New York, Los Angeles, the United Kingdom, and Japan, pending regulatory approvals.

The service, branded as Uber Air powered by Joby, aims to address urban congestion by offering a faster alternative to road travel. Riders can open the Uber app, enter a destination, and select the air taxi option if available for the route. The system automatically coordinates the full journey, including pickup and dropoff via premium Uber Black vehicles. Each aircraft seats up to four passengers and one certified commercial pilot, featuring large panoramic windows for city views and six tilting propellers that enable vertical takeoff before transitioning to forward flight. The fully electric vehicles reach speeds of up to 200 miles per hour,...