Joby Aviation has taken a significant step toward the future of urban transportation by expanding its partnership with Uber, Inc. The collaboration aims to integrate air taxi services from Blade, a recently acquired aerial mobility business, into the Uber app as early as next year. This move brings Joby closer to its goal of commercial air taxi operations, expected to begin in 2025.
This announcement follows Joby Aviation’s successful acquisition of Blade, which operates a network of heliports and serves a substantial customer base in key markets, including New York and Southern Europe. Joby has been at the forefront of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) development, having initiated test flights in the United States two years ago. More recently, the company has conducted test flights in Japan and the United Arab Emirates.
On November 12, 2023, Joby’s eVTOL aircraft completed an exhibition flight over New York City, marking a pivotal moment in its journey toward commercial operations. The integration of Blade’s services into the Uber app is expected to enhance accessibility to air travel, allowing users to seamlessly book air taxi rides alongside traditional ground transportation.
JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “Integrating Blade into the Uber app is the natural next step in our global partnership with Uber and will lay the foundation for the introduction of our quiet, zero-emissions aircraft in the years ahead.” He emphasized the potential for a transformative travel experience, highlighting the benefits of combining Uber’s extensive platform with Blade’s established network.
Joby’s acquisition of Blade is expected to accelerate the launch of electric air taxi services in various markets. The company plans to leverage Blade’s existing infrastructure, which has successfully transported over 50,000 passengers in 2024. Flight routes include connections from Manhattan heliports to John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport, as well as destinations in the Hamptons. In Europe, Blade operates flights between Nice and Monaco, among other locations.
The partnership with Uber is not new; the two companies have collaborated since 2019. Joby previously acquired Uber’s Elevate division, which focused on developing on-demand urban air transportation solutions. This evolving relationship is viewed as a crucial step in achieving a future of sustainable and efficient urban air mobility.
Andrew Macdonald, Uber’s president and COO, noted the company’s long-standing belief in the potential of advanced air mobility. “By harnessing the scale of the Uber platform and partnering with Joby, the industry leader in advanced air mobility, we’re excited to bring our customers the next generation of travel,” he said.
As the integration progresses, users may soon have the opportunity to book rides that combine ground transportation with air travel, possibly ordering an eVTOL air taxi directly through the Uber app to reach their destinations more efficiently. This innovative approach represents a significant leap forward in urban transportation, potentially redefining how people navigate city environments.
With ongoing developments in the aerial mobility sector, Joby Aviation and Uber are poised to play pivotal roles in the future of transportation, aiming to provide safe, sustainable, and efficient travel options to urban populations worldwide.