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

Later this year, tapping the Uber app in Dubai could summon more than a car—it might call a small aircraft. The company has previewed its Uber Air service, set to launch in the emirate, which will allow users to book electric air taxis from manufacturer Joby Aviation through the familiar interface.

The booking process mirrors a standard ride request. For suitable routes, Uber Air will appear as an option. The app coordinates both the flight and a ground Uber Black to shuttle passengers to and from designated "vertiports." Joby's aircraft, designed for urban hops, carry four passengers and luggage at speeds up to 200 miles per hour. They feature an SUV-sized cabin with panoramic windows and are piloted, not autonomous.

Cost remains a pivotal question. Uber suggests a fare comparable to its premium Uber Black service, despite the expense of a human pilot. The partnership aims to expand to cities like New York and Los Angeles, pending U.S. regulatory approval. While the Trump administration previously established a testing program for such aircraft, significant hurdles persist.

Aviation experts express deep skepticism. Robert Ditchey, a test pilot and analyst, told NBC News last November that the concept is perilous and economically unfeasible without government subsidy, citing risks of urban crashes. Uber and Joby, partnered since 2019, are betting otherwise. Their integrated efforts, including Joby's acquisition of Uber's air mobility division and Blade Air Mobility's passenger business, aim to prove that the sky, not just the road, is a viable marketplace.