Flying taxi service will start in Dubai by the year 2026, know how much the fare will be and where it will land
Dubai is all set to take its futuristic journey into the air. By 2026, the city is set to introduce flying taxi services that will provide a faster, cleaner and more efficient travel option than the road.
The project is being operated in partnership with the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and US-based Joby Aviation. The first test flights are expected in 2025, and commercial operations in early 2026.
Technical features of flying taxis
Flight speed: 320 km/h
Battery: Four battery packs
Propellers: six
Range: 160 km
Noise level: Only 45 decibels (about as much as light rain)
Where will the taxis run from (vertiports):
Vertiports are under construction at four main locations:
- Dubai International Airport (DXB)
- Downtown Dubai
- Dubai Marina
- Palm Jumeirah
The DXB Vertiport is expected to be completed by early 2026.
What will the design be like?
- This aircraft will be a combination of a drone and a helicopter
- Large glass panels and floor-to-ceiling windscreen for spectacular views during flight
- Seating capacity: 1 pilot + 4 passengers
Estimated Fare
- Starting fares are around $75 (Dh275) per trip
- That means it can be at par with premium services like Uber Black
- As the service becomes more accessible, fares may become cheaper
How to book?
- Taxis can be booked through the Uber app or Joby platform
- You will be able to book, pay and board from your phone itself
- In future the network will expand to bigger hotels and tourist destinations
A matter of safety
- All flights will be operated by trained commercial pilots
- Experience of successful test flights over 60,000 km
- Plans for future AI-based autonomous flights, but currently under human control
Preparations in other cities too
- Abu Dhabi: Midnight taxi service in association with Archer Aviation
- NEOM, Saudi Arabia: First test flights already completed
- Air mobility race begins across the Gulf region
