Uber riders in Dubai will be able to book journeys in electric air taxis through the standard app before the end of 2026, the companies announced on Wednesday. The service will utilise aircraft developed by California-based startup Joby Aviation, marking a significant step in bringing urban air mobility to a major global city.

The partnership will initially see Joby operate four vertiports in Dubai, connecting Dubai International Airport (DXB) with the Dubai Mall, a luxury hotel on Palm Jumeirah, and the American University of Dubai. Each Joby aircraft can carry a pilot and up to four passengers.

Seamless Integration and Future Expansion

Passengers will be able to book an "Uber Air" ride on a Joby aircraft alongside standard ground-based options. The air taxi service will include an Uber Black car for pickup and drop-off to complete the journey from a passenger's origin to their final destination. "We've long believed in the power of advanced air mobility to transform how people move through cities," said Sachin Kansal, Uber's Chief Product Officer.

Eric Allison, Joby's Chief Product Officer, stated the partnership makes "this new mode of transportation familiar and accessible, connecting the ground and the sky through a system designed to save people time and fit seamlessly into how they already move."

Regulatory Pathway and Strategic Background

While there are no immediate plans to launch the service in the United States, Joby is in the final stage of certifying its aircraft with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Once approved, the company plans to expand to other markets, including New York, Los Angeles, the United Kingdom, and Japan.

The Dubai announcement comes nearly six years after Joby acquired Uber Elevate, Uber's air mobility division, in a 2020 deal that included a $75 million investment from the ride-hailing giant. This was part of a broader strategic shift by Uber, which also sold its self-driving car division, Aurora, during the pandemic, later announcing new partnerships for robotaxis with companies like Lucid and Nuro.