The future of transportation is taking flight, literally. Dubai is on the brink of launching one of the most innovative public transport systems in the world: flying taxis. These air vehicles will offer fast, efficient, and eco-friendly transport, soaring over the city’s busiest areas while avoiding the traffic below.
In collaboration with JOBY Aviation and Skyports Infrastructure, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is bringing air taxis to life by late 2025, with full operations expected in early 2026.
Here is everything you need to know about Dubai’s flying taxis, including how they will work, when they will be available, and what you can expect from this exciting new mode of transport.
The Timeline: When Can We Expect Flying Taxis in Dubai?
The RTA has confirmed that Dubai’s first flying taxi vertiport will be operational in the first quarter of 2026. Khaled Al Awadhi, Director of the Transportation Systems Department at the RTA, announced this at the World Congress and Exhibition on Intelligent Transport Systems.
Tests are already underway, with prototypes being flown in California and soon in the UAE desert to ensure the vehicles meet all safety standards.
If everything goes according to plan, flying taxis will start operating by late 2025, with commercial services rolling out the following year.
The Route Map: Where Will Dubai’s Flying Taxis Take Off and Land?
Initially, the air taxis will operate between four key vertiports strategically located in Dubai. These locations include:
- Dubai International Airport (DXB) – Connecting travelers quickly to key destinations in the city.
- Dubai Downtown – A central hub for business and leisure activities, providing a quick air route across the city.
- Dubai Marina – One of the city’s busiest and most iconic neighborhoods, known for its skyline and waterfront.
- Palm Jumeirah – A major tourist hotspot that will soon be even easier to access.
These vertiports will allow the flying taxis to take off and land vertically, similar to how a bus or metro stop functions today. Initially, these routes will focus on connecting the airport to major hotels and tourist destinations. However, plans are already in place to expand the service to cover more areas, potentially including intercity routes between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
How Much Will It Cost to Fly in Dubai’s Air Taxis?
The cost of a flight in Dubai’s air taxis will be similar to the price of a ride in an Uber Black. Even though the flying taxis are high-tech, the goal is to make the service affordable for everyone. In addition to the reasonable cost, the time-saving benefit is significant. A flight that would normally take 45 minutes by car could take only 10 minutes in a flying taxi.
What’s more, Uber is a global partner of JOBY Aviation, meaning passengers will be able to book their flying taxi rides using the Uber app, just like they would for a regular car ride.
How Fast Will Dubai’s Flying Taxis Be?
The air taxis will fly at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour, offering a fast and efficient way to travel across the city. For example, a flight from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah, which typically takes 45 minutes by car, will only take around 10 minutes.
Each flying taxi will have the capacity to carry a pilot and up to four passengers, making it a convenient option for small groups. Boarding and deboarding the air taxis will be a quick process, without the need for extensive security checks like those required for traditional flights.
Are Dubai’s Flying Taxis Safe?
Safety is a top priority for the Dubai air taxi initiative. Each aircraft is equipped with six rotors, providing extra stability compared to the single rotor found in helicopters. This additional security feature ensures the air taxi can continue flying safely even if one rotor experiences an issue.
In September, JOBY Aviation began the certification process to become a licensed air taxi operator in the UAE. This process involves five stages of rigorous testing and inspections to ensure the air taxis meet the highest standards of safety. Training for pilots and mechanics is also included in the certification process to guarantee safe flight operations.
How Quiet Will the Air Taxis Be?
Dubai’s flying taxis are designed to be quiet and environmentally friendly. Powered entirely by electricity, they will produce zero emissions during flight. This will help reduce the city’s carbon footprint and make transportation more sustainable.
Additionally, the electric engines are much quieter than traditional helicopters, so the flying taxis will not add to noise pollution in the city. Passengers will enjoy a smooth, quiet ride without the loud noise typically associated with aerial travel.
What Can You Expect Inside a Dubai Flying Taxi?
Even though the air taxis are a high-tech innovation, they are designed with passenger comfort in mind. The taxis will fly at altitudes between 1,000 and 3,000 feet, providing stunning views of the city. Passengers will also have access to mobile phone signals during the flight, allowing them to stay connected, use social media, or send messages.
At launch, the fleet of air taxis will be relatively small, but the goal is to expand over time. JOBY Aviation plans to eventually have around 100 flying taxis in service, providing ample options for passengers to fly across the city.
Parking and Accessibility
To make the flying taxi service more convenient, Dubai’s public parking group, Parkin, is developing parking facilities at the vertiports. This means passengers will be able to park their cars at the vertiports and easily access the flying taxis. The combination of park-and-ride options and air taxi flights will create a fully integrated transport system.
The Future of Urban Transport
Dubai’s flying taxis will make the city the first in the world to offer inner-city air transport. This innovation is expected to revolutionize how people travel in the city, significantly reducing travel times while offering a new, exciting way to move around. The RTA has a vision to make flying taxis as common as buses in the future, offering a seamless, futuristic transportation experience for both residents and tourists.
As the countdown to the official launch begins, keep an eye out for more developments. Before long, booking a flying taxi through your Uber app and soaring over the city will become part of everyday life in Dubai.