What To Know
- As one of the world’s most visited shopping destinations, Dubai Mall is expected to play a central role in the planned vertiport network, acting as a gateway to Downtown Dubai and connecting the district with other major destinations.
- Joby has confirmed a partnership with Uber, allowing passengers to book flying taxi trips in a similar way to ground taxis through the Uber app.
- Joby Aviation recently previewed a full-scale electric air taxi mock-up at Dubai Mall, giving the public a closer look at the aircraft and its quiet, zero-operating-emissions technology.
Dubai’s vision for next-generation transport is moving closer to reality, with Dubai Mall set to potentially host a vertiport for all-electric flying taxis.
First announced in 2024, Dubai’s flying taxi plans have progressed rapidly. Joby Aviation signed an agreement with Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) that year, becoming the city’s exclusive air taxi provider for six years. Since then, Joby has been working alongside the RTA and Skyports Infrastructure to develop an initial network of vertiports across key areas of the city.
The goal is to connect major financial, tourism, and residential hubs, offering residents and visitors a faster and seamless way to move across Dubai.
Dubai Mall as a Key Downtown Gateway
Joby Aviation recently previewed a full-scale electric air taxi mock-up at Dubai Mall, giving the public a closer look at the aircraft and its quiet, zero-operating-emissions technology.
The location is more than symbolic. As one of the world’s most visited shopping destinations, Dubai Mall is expected to play a central role in the planned vertiport network, acting as a gateway to Downtown Dubai and connecting the district with other major destinations.
How Flying Taxis Will Work in Dubai
Powered by Joby Aviation, each flying taxi will carry one pilot and up to four passengers and reach speeds of up to 320 km/h.
According to Joby’s Middle East general manager Tyler Trerotola, this could reduce travel time between Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Palm Jumeirah from around 45 minutes by car to just 10 to 12 minutes by air.
The initial network is planned to link:
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Dubai International Airport (DXB)
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Palm Jumeirah
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Dubai Marina
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Downtown Dubai / Dubai Mall
Designed for short, high-frequency journeys, the service aims to ease congestion while offering a premium and efficient alternative to road travel.
Booking and Passenger Experience
Joby has confirmed a partnership with Uber, allowing passengers to book flying taxi trips in a similar way to ground taxis through the Uber app. Bookings will also be available via the official RTA app, with a dedicated Joby app expected to launch in the future.
Passengers will arrive at the vertiport, complete a streamlined terminal process, and board their aircraft within approximately five minutes. Upon landing, Joby plans to seamlessly connect travellers to an Uber ride for the final leg of their journey.
Expected Pricing
When first announced, Joby stated that flying taxi fares would be comparable to Uber Black pricing. While initial fares may be slightly higher at launch, the long-term aim is to remain competitive with land-based taxi services as operations scale.
A Step Toward the Future of Urban Mobility
With vertiports planned across strategic locations and Dubai Mall positioned as a potential Downtown hub, flying taxis represent another milestone in Dubai’s push toward smart, sustainable, and time-efficient urban transport.
If timelines stay on track, Dubai could be among the first cities globally to launch a fully operational electric air taxi service — reshaping how people move through the city.
