In a major step toward urban air mobility, Uber is set to introduce electric air taxis developed by Joby Aviation on its app. The service will allow riders to book multi-modal journeys, including air travel, with a single tap.
Dubai will be the first city to launch the service. Subject to regulatory approvals, riders in New York, Los Angeles, the United Kingdom, and Japan will also gain access. In these select cities, users will see a one-tap booking option for the Joby aircraft.
How to book Uber Air taxis
Step 1: Open the Uber app on your smartphone.
Step 2: Enter your destination. In eligible cities, select the Joby aircraft option.
Step 3: Choose Uber Air taxis and tap “Confirm booking.”
Describing it as the next generation of flight, Uber said, “With a single tap, the app seamlessly connects and books every leg of the journey – including Uber Black pickup and drop-off.” The aircraft is designed to carry up to 4 passengers and offers panoramic city views.
In the United States, the commercial launch depends on approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Joby’s aircraft is currently in the final stage of certification. Uber said the fleet has completed more than 50,000 miles of flight testing as it prepares for commercial operations.
Key aircraft features
- 6 tilting propellers for vertical takeoff and transition to forward flight
- Top speed of up to 200 mph
- Range of up to 100 miles on a single charge
Social media reactions
The announcement sparked strong reactions online. One user wrote, “Personally, this is classic $UBER. They don’t need to invent the aircraft. They just need to own the app. If $JOBY actually launches commercial service this year, Uber becomes the distribution layer for urban air mobility the same way it did for cars and food.”
Another commented, “A major innovation in transportation, but widespread implementation will still need to address many tech, regulatory, and infrastructure challenges.”
A third user said, “Only 100 miles on a charge worries me as a passenger…im sure will get better.”
A fourth asked, “Is it only possible to book Joby through Uber or just if you want to pair it with a car ride?”
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