The long-awaited dream of flying cars is finally becoming a reality for everyday commuters. Uber and Joby Aviation have announced a major step forward in their partnership, revealing plans to launch commercial air taxi services later this year in Dubai—with booking available directly through the Uber app.
For the first time, riders will experience what the companies call “Uber Air powered by Joby,” a seamless integration of sky and ground transportation. The service will allow passengers to book Joby’s all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft just as easily as they currently request a car.
How It Will Work
The experience is designed for simplicity. A user opens the Uber app, enters a destination, and if the route qualifies for air travel, Uber Air appears as an option. With a single tap, the platform handles the entire journey: an Uber Black arrives for ground transportation to the takeoff site, the air taxi completes the middle leg of the trip, and another Uber Black waits at the landing zone to deliver the passenger to their final destination.
The Aircraft Experience
Joby’s aircraft represents a significant leap in aviation technology. Capable of carrying four passengers plus a pilot, the vehicle uses six tilting propellers to ascend vertically like a helicopter before transitioning to efficient forward flight. It cruises at speeds up to 200 mph and covers distances of up to 100 miles on a single charge.
Inside, passengers enjoy panoramic city views through large windows, with comfort prioritized for urban travel. The aircraft is engineered with multiple redundant systems for safety and features an acoustic profile quiet enough to blend with ambient city sounds—addressing a common concern about noise pollution.
Global Ambitions
While Dubai serves as the launch market due to its forward-thinking regulatory environment, both companies are working toward U.S. operations. Joby has already completed over 50,000 miles of flight testing and entered the final stage of FAA certification, demonstrating steady progress toward American skies.
The partnership builds on years of collaboration. In 2021, Joby acquired Uber’s Elevate division, which had pioneered urban air mobility concepts. Last year, the companies announced plans to bring Blade helicopter services to Uber in 2026, creating an immediate bridge to premium air travel while preparing for the electric future.
Beyond Dubai and the United States, Joby and Uber are targeting expansion into New York, Los Angeles, the United Kingdom, and Japan. Their shared vision: making multimodal transportation so effortless that combining ground and air travel becomes as routine as hailing a car.
