Uber is preparing to expand beyond road-based rides with plans to add helicopter services to its app from 2026.
The move comes through a partnership with Joby Aviation, an electric air taxi manufacturer, following Joby’s $125 million acquisition of Blade Air Mobility in August.
The deal, which excluded Blade’s organ transplant transport division, gives Uber access to Blade’s existing network, which carried at least 50,000 passengers last year across 12 urban terminals.
By linking its platform with Blade’s services, Uber is positioning itself to integrate electric aircraft and new forms of air travel in the years ahead.
Uber and Joby strengthen air mobility partnership
Uber has pursued aerial transport for several years. Its collaboration with Joby Aviation began in 2019, marking the start of an ambitious plan to bring air taxis into mainstream travel.
In 2020, Uber sold its Elevate division, which was dedicated to flying taxi development, directly to Joby. The transfer consolidated Joby’s role as Uber’s primary partner for future air mobility projects.
Blade’s addition to the Uber app is now framed as the next step in this strategy. The partnership will enable users to book helicopter flights in the same way they book cars.
Uber has confirmed that ride-booking details will be provided closer to the service’s launch, but the move establishes a clear timeline for helicopters to appear in-app from 2026.
Blade’s existing operations
Blade has already established itself in urban aviation markets. The company reported carrying more than 50,000 passengers in the past year through flights connecting 12 urban terminals.
These routes are primarily focused on high-traffic areas where ground congestion limits travel efficiency.
By excluding the medical organ transport unit from Joby’s acquisition, Blade retained a specialised wing of its business that operates independently of passenger mobility.
The remaining assets provide Joby with access to established infrastructure and demand for short-distance urban flights, offering a platform to scale future electric aircraft once they receive regulatory approval.
Regulatory challenges and competition
Joby Aviation has invested years in developing quiet, zero-emission aircraft designed to function as air taxis. However, the broader air mobility industry is still waiting for approvals from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before commercial operations can begin.
Competitors in the market are pursuing similar goals, making regulatory clearance the decisive step for all.
Supporters of air taxi technology argue it could help reduce urban congestion and emissions, offering new alternatives for city travel.
Until the FAA provides certification, however, companies like Joby, Uber, and Blade must continue testing and refining their services.
Timeline for future services
The integration of Blade into Uber’s app, set for 2026, provides a marker for when users can expect the first phase of Uber’s air mobility strategy to materialise.
The deal positions Uber to connect road and air travel on a single platform, while Joby gains a direct route to market for its electric aircraft once certified.
Uber has indicated that details about pricing and booking functions will be shared as the launch date approaches.
For now, the move establishes a clearer pathway from traditional car-based ride-hailing towards multimodal transport that includes helicopters and, eventually, electric air taxis.
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