Electric Air Taxis Are Coming to Uber

Agreement with Joby Aviation could integrate Blade passenger service as soon as next year.

Jack Daleo

Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 03:52 PM ET

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Jack Daleo

Joby and Uber join forces to improve on the latter’s Uber Copter aerial ridesharing service. [Courtesy: Joby Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

Uber is relaunching aerial passenger services by integrating Blade Air Mobility's existing helicopter offerings into its app, a move facilitated by Joby Aviation's recent acquisition of Blade's passenger business.
This integration, expected as early as next year, is intended to lay the groundwork for the future introduction of Joby's electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis, using Blade's terminals as future vertiport locations.
Joby has developed an Uber-like operating system (ElevateOS) for managing these advanced air mobility services, with progress being made on eVTOL certification and operational guidelines by the FAA.

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Uber’s app-based Uber Copter offering—which allowed passengers to hail helicopter rides between Lower Manhattan and John F. Kennedy International Airport (KJFK)—launched in 2019 but was swiftly shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. Years later, the ridesharing platform is looking to improve on the short-lived service.

Uber in 2021 sold its urban air mobility arm, Uber Elevate, to electric air taxi developer Joby Aviation, which on Tuesday said it plans to add aerial passenger services to the popular app. Joby in August acquired the passenger division of New York City-based helicopter and jet charter operator Blade Air Mobility for $125 million. It said a Blade integration on the Uber app could happen as soon as next year.