Uber Air Taxi service: How Dubai’s flying cabs will work

Air taxis are set to transition from concept to reality, as ride-hailing giant Uber partners with US-based aerospace firm Joby Aviation to launch all-electric flying taxis in Dubai.

The announcement marks a major step in urban air mobility, with Dubai poised to become the first city in the world to introduce commercial air taxi services. The companies recently previewed the new booking feature, which is expected to roll out later this year, subject to regulatory approvals.

How it will work

Booking an air taxi will be integrated directly into the Uber app. Users will simply enter their destination as they would for a regular ride. If the selected route is eligible for air travel, an “Uber Air” option will appear on the screen.

With a single tap, passengers can confirm their booking. The trip will include premium ground transfers via Uber Black to and from dedicated air-taxi hubs, known as 'vertiports'.

Aircraft features

The electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, developed by Joby Aviation, is designed to carry up to four passengers along with a certified commercial pilot.

The aircraft takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter before transitioning into forward flight. It can reach speeds of up to 200 miles per hour and has a range of approximately 100 miles on a single charge, making it suitable for short intercity and urban routes.

Global expansion plans

Following its Dubai debut, Uber and Joby Aviation plan to expand the service to major US cities including New York City and Los Angeles, once they secure the necessary certifications. The United Kingdom and Japan are also part of the broader rollout strategy.