Uber Will Soon Add Helicopter Service? Here's The Detail

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Uber, an American multinational transportation technology company that provides mobile app-based transportation booking services, continues to innovate by announcing its helicopter accessibility.

The tech giant is expanding its service reach by integrating its Blade helicopter service into its main app, an ambitious step toward its vision of a mobility "super app."

The announcement comes after Joby in August completed its $125 million acquisition of Blade, a helicopter and air transportation company.

The deal did not include the company's medical organ transplant division. Blade stated it chartered at least 50,000 passengers last year from 12 urban terminals.

“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,” said Joby founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt in a press release.

Uber Will Offer Blade Helicopter Rides By Next Year, It Sayshttps://t.co/5O3hOKhgH5 pic.twitter.com/YKRLtauoIf

— Forbes (@Forbes) September 10, 2025

In an effort to expand its service ecosystem, Uber announced a further collaboration with Joby Aviation, a leading developer of flying taxis.

This collaboration will allow for the integration of the Blade helicopter service, acquired by Joby in August 2025, into the main Uber app.

This integration is expected to be available as early as 2026, offering users an aerial mobility option.

Blade currently operates helicopter and seaplane routes in the New York metropolitan area, the Hamptons, and Southern Europe.

By 2024, Blade had transported more than 50,000 passengers in those areas, with fares ranging from approximately $195 for a one-way trip from Manhattan to JFK Airport or Newark.

As reported by NBC News, Uber has long planned to bring air transportation to its platform.

In fact, the company first announced a partnership with Joby in 2019 and then sold its Elevate flying taxi division to Joby in 2020.

Andrew Macdonald, Uber's president and chief operating officer, said the partnership would usher in the "next generation of travel" for customers. The company said it would provide more details about ride booking closer to launch.

For years, Joby has been competing with competitors to bring air taxi solutions to market.

Proponents of the technology say it can reduce traffic congestion and emissions, but the companies are still vying for regulatory approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Uber is offering helicopter rides in New York City starting in July pic.twitter.com/bcxVSkW3t9

— Bloomberg Originals (@bbgoriginals) June 6, 2019

This helicopter service integration is not new for Uber.

Previously, Uber had an ambitious project called Uber Elevate, which aimed to develop an aerial ride-sharing service using electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

Although Uber sold its Elevate division to Joby Aviation in 2020/2021, Uber maintained a collaborative relationship and owned a 2.6% stake in Joby.

In June 2019, Uber also briefly launched "Uber Copter" in New York City, allowing users to charter a helicopter from Lower Manhattan to JFK Airport.

This service was designed to reduce travel time, which typically takes 50-75 minutes by car.

With the return of its focus on air mobility through Blade, Uber is moving closer to the launch of Joby Aviation's electric air taxi (eVTOL), which is targeted to begin commercial operations in Dubai in early 2026.

Are you interested in trying Uber's helicopter service?