Uber and Joby Aviation launch in-app air taxi booking ahead of Dubai debut
Ride-hailing giant Uber has unveiled "Uber Air powered by Joby," allowing riders to book Joby Aviation's all-electric air taxis directly within the Uber app, as Joby prepares to carry its first passengers in Dubai later this year in what the partners describe as a major milestone in urban air mobility.
The integration allows riders to enter a destination in the Uber app's standard search bar, with Joby air taxi options appearing alongside conventional ride choices where applicable. The company said that "with a single tap, the app seamlessly connects and books every leg of the journey — including Uber Black pickup and drop-off" to and from the departure point.
Joby's aircraft seats up to four passengers and is flown by a certified commercial pilot. The company said the cabin features "comfortable seating with large windows with panoramic views of the city below from every seat," offering what it described as "a remarkable way to travel above the city and experience the next generation of flight."
The aircraft uses six tilting propellers to take off vertically before transitioning to forward flight, reaching speeds of up to 200 mph with a range of up to 100 miles on a single charge. It has been engineered with multiple levels of redundancy and an acoustic profile the company says is "quiet enough to blend into the ambient sounds of a city's streets."
Before launching commercial operations in the United States, Joby must complete Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification. The company has logged more than 50,000 miles of flight tests across its fleet and says it has entered the final stage of the FAA certification process, which it described as reflecting "its safety-focused approach and steady progress toward carrying passengers."
Joby and Uber have worked together on urban air mobility since 2019. In 2021, Joby acquired Uber's Elevate division, which had helped establish the urban air mobility sector and develop demand simulation and multi-modal operations tools. Joby subsequently acquired Blade's passenger business, with plans to bring Blade's commercial helicopter service to the Uber app in 2026 as a precursor to the full electric air taxi rollout.
Target markets beyond Dubai include New York, Los Angeles, the United Kingdom, and Japan.
AIR Tashkent, US company Samson Sky want to see 300 Switchblade flying cars in Uzbekistan’s skies
AIR Tashkent and US manufacturer Samson Sky have announced that they aim to bring at least 300 Switchblade flying cars to Uzbekistan.
Private aviation services provider AIR Tashkent said in a February 24 press release that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Samson Sky on joint work to facilitate the sale of the Switchblades in a deal valued at more than $60mn.
The signing took place at the opening of AIR Tashkent’s Easy to Fly Academy where aviation professionals are to be trained. The memo provides for cooperation on sales, pilot training and maintenance support.
The Uzbek company intends to make a bulk purchase of a percentage of the 300 flying cars and put them to use in pilot training for personal and commercial licences.
“It started with an idea in 2024 to develop private aviation in Uzbekistan,” said Anna V. Grebenshchikova, a former aerobatic pilot and ambassador for Samson Sky. “Now we are speaking about innovations such as the Switchblade Flying Sports Car reaching the land of the ancient Silk Road.”
Under the agreement, Samson Sky will provide pilot training support using its proprietary flight simulators and will train mechanics to service the aircraft.
The US company will also work with AIR Tashkent and the Uzbek government to qualify the vehicle for both road and flight use in the country.
The Switchblade has already flown in the US and is being launched into production there.
“The Switchblade will bring Uzbekistan a tremendous benefit of rapid regional travel,” said Sam Bousfield, chief executive and founder of Samson Sky. “We see the potential for regional trips, both national and international, helping business and government to operate faster and more efficiently.”
The Switchblade, which completed its official first flight in November 2023, is a hybrid-electric vehicle designed to function as both a sports car and a light aircraft.
It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in five seconds, has a top ground speed of 125 mph (201 km/h) and a cruise speed in the air of 160 mph (257 km/h). Using premium automotive fuel, it has a flight range of up to 500 miles (805 km) at 13,000 feet on a single tank.
In driving mode, its wings and tail surfaces are enclosed within the vehicle for safety and insurance purposes.
The aircraft is designed to fit inside a standard garage and can be driven on public roads to a nearby airport, where it can be converted from road to flight configuration in about three minutes at the push of a button, said the two companies.
AIR Tashkent, which bills itself as Uzbekistan’s first private provider of individual high-quality aviation services, offers maintenance services alongside charter routes.
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