Uber is taking ride sharing to the skies. On Wednesday, the company announced it will launch helicopter rides on its app as early as 2026 through its partnership with Joby Aviation, an electric air taxi maker.
The news follows Joby’s $125 million acquisition of Blade, a helicopter and air transport company, completed in August. The deal excluded Blade’s medical organ transplant division. Last year, Blade chartered over 50,000 passengers across 12 urban terminals.
“Integrating Blade into the Uber app is the natural next step in our global partnership and will set the stage for our quiet, zero-emissions aircraft in the coming years,” said Joby CEO JoeBen Bevirt.
Uber has long aimed to introduce air transportation. It first partnered with Joby in 2019 and sold its Elevate flying taxi division to Joby in 2020.
Andrew Macdonald, Uber’s president and chief operating officer, said the partnership will open the door to the “next generation of travel” and reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to air transport. Uber will share more booking details closer to the launch.
Joby has been competing with other companies to bring air taxis to market. Supporters say the technology could reduce traffic congestion and emissions, though regulatory approval from the Federal Aviation Administration is still pending.
