Dubai has successfully completed its first test flight of the all-electric flying taxi, marking a significant step toward the city’s planned 2026 launch. The test, conducted in collaboration with Joby Aviation and the Roads and Transport Authority, was the region’s first using the Joby Aerial Taxi. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum shared the achievement on social media, highlighting its potential to revolutionize urban mobility.
The flying taxi is expected to dramatically cut travel times between key locations including Dubai International Airport, Downtown, Marina, and Palm Jumeirah. A typical 45-minute drive from the airport to Palm Jumeirah could take just 12 minutes by air. With fares reportedly similar to Uber Black, the service aims to offer a fast and accessible premium transport option.
Plans outline that each aircraft will carry a pilot and four passengers at speeds up to 200 miles per hour. Equipped with six rotors for added stability, the taxis are part of a broader vision to integrate advanced, sustainable technologies into Dubai’s public transport network. Authorities are currently mapping air corridors, with the goal of making flying taxis a common and convenient mode of city travel.
