Uber is taking an ambitious leap, elevating its vision for urban transportation. By 2026, users will be able to book helicopter or seaplane rides directly from the Uber app, thanks to a new strategic partnership with the electric aircraft developer Joby. This is a calculated move to integrate air travel into Uber’s existing multimodal transportation network.

The initial phase focuses on routes already experiencing high demand, most notably the congested corridor from Manhattan to JFK Airport, a journey utilized by over 50,000 people annually. This integration promises to bypass chronic ground traffic, offering business and leisure travelers a convenient, rapid, and premium mobility solution.

Crucially, this partnership lays the essential groundwork for the introduction of revolutionary technology: Joby’s electric air taxis (eVTOL). These zero-emission, electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing aircraft are scheduled to debut first in Dubai in 2026 before expanding into major U.S. cities. The long-term goal is to establish a comprehensive Urban Air Mobility (UAM) network, where eVTOLs will serve as a viable everyday mode of transportation, rather than just a luxury service.

By putting the sky in the app, Uber and Joby are not just offering a new ride option; they are actively reshaping how we perceive distance and travel time in the modern metropolitan environment.