Uber Signs Fresh Agreement With Joby for Electric Air Taxi Services

Uber Launches Electric Air Taxi Service with Joby Aviation

Uber has unveiled a new feature called Uber Air, developed in partnership with Joby Aviation. This innovative service enables users to book Joby’s fully electric air taxis directly through the Uber app, offering a glimpse into the future of urban aerial transportation. Joby plans to begin carrying passengers in Dubai later this year, marking a significant step in their collaboration with Uber to broaden urban mobility options worldwide.

To use Uber Air powered by Joby, riders simply enter their destination in the app. If they qualify, the air taxi option will appear alongside other ride types. With one tap, Uber coordinates the entire trip, including premium ground transportation to and from the takeoff site, ensuring a smooth, door-to-door journey. Joby’s aircraft can seat up to four people, featuring roomy interiors and wide panoramic windows for impressive city views. Each flight is operated by a licensed commercial pilot, providing a modern and efficient way to travel above city traffic.

The aircraft utilizes six tilting propellers, allowing it to take off and land vertically before transitioning to forward flight. It can reach speeds of up to 200 miles per hour and has a range of 100 miles per charge.

Before the service can launch commercially in the United States, it must receive approval from the Federal Aviation Administration. Joby has already completed over 50,000 miles of test flights and is now in the final stage of the certification process, bringing it closer to offering passenger flights.

Uber’s executives believe that advanced air mobility could transform city transportation by letting users book electric air taxis through a familiar platform that seamlessly connects ground and aerial travel. Uber and Joby have worked together on urban air mobility since 2019. In 2021, Joby acquired Uber’s Elevate division, which played a key role in developing the sector through market analysis, demand forecasting, and integrated planning.

Last year, Uber and Joby also announced plans to add Blade’s commercial helicopter services to the Uber app in 2026, following Joby’s acquisition of Blade’s passenger operations. This move is expected to support Joby’s global expansion of electric air taxi services, pending regulatory approval, in cities such as Dubai, New York, Los Angeles, the UK, and Japan.

This partnership aligns with Uber’s long-term vision to become a comprehensive mobility platform, merging both ground and aerial transportation within a single ecosystem. By integrating electric air taxis into its app, Uber aims to boost user engagement, expand its premium offerings, and establish itself as a leader in next-generation urban mobility. This strategy also allows Uber to leverage its global user base and logistics expertise, accelerating adoption and diversifying its revenue beyond traditional ride-hailing.

Competition in the eVTOL Market

Joby’s main competitor in the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) sector is Archer Aviation. Archer continues to strengthen its presence through technological innovation and international growth. In January, Archer announced plans to develop advanced artificial intelligence solutions for aviation using NVIDIA’s IGX Thor platform.

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