Dubai’s Flying Taxis are the leading front runners in air taxis evolution. Countries around the world are working tirelessly to introduce air taxis to improve and facilitate the travel experience. In a major development, Dubai is reportedly preparing to launch its first flying taxi service by 2026. This new mode of transport will provide fast and electric-powered air travel within the city. It has been developed by California-based company Joby Aviation. It aims to significantly reduce travel time within the city.
According to reports, the air taxi network will operate from four main vertiports and these vertiports are currently under construction. These locations are: Dubai International Airport, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah. The first vertiport at Dubai International Airport is expected to be ready by early 2026. Its main purpose is to enable quick travel in congested areas of the city. To begin with, it takes about 45 minutes by car from Dubai Airport to Palm Jumeirah, but by air taxi it will take only 12 minutes.
Here are some key details about Dubai’s flying taxis:
- Passengers will be able to book air taxis through a mobile app.
- It will work just like Uber. Joby is Uber’s global partner.
- Users will be able to book, board and pay for a taxi through a single app.
- The service will also be extended to hotels and major locations.
- It will make it easier to travel directly from the airport to your destination.
- Its maximum speed will be 320 kilometers per hour.
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Interesting Facts about Dubai’s Flying Taxis
Let’s accept that while stuck in traffic, we all must have thought at least once that in the future, we will fly directly from one place to another! Like directly from our home to our workplace instead of wasting hours in traffic jams. Well, Dubai has announced that it will launch a city-wide flying taxi service (possibly by 2026). Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has collaborated with Joby Aviation, and recently, they have also taken a successful test flight. Shocking and unbelievable right? Looks like dreams are turning into reality.
Let’s check out some interesting facts about Dubai’s flying taxis:
1. High-speed travel
These taxis will be the first of their kind on earth and will be able to seat four passengers. These air taxis will be equipped with six propellers and four battery packs, and will have a speed of up to 300 km/h and cover a distance of about 160 km on a single charge.
2. Eco-friendly and Zero Emissions
Another best aspect of flying taxis is that they are completely electric, meaning they will have no impact on the environment. They will also run at a noise level of around 45 decibels, which is much less than a helicopter. This is the most promising feature of these taxis, as they will reduce pollution levels significantly due to being completely sustainable.
3. A mix of two
The design suggests that the flying taxis will be a mix of drones and helicopters. These will look like a mix of drones and helicopters – a sleek and modern look. These taxis are being managed by Skyports and Joby Aviation with the planning of the RTA.
4. Travel time will be reduced significantly
Since it is faster, the time taken to reach your destination will also be reduced significantly. It is believed that flying from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah, which is mostly a 45-minute road journey, will take only 10-12 minutes.
5. Premium for public use
Initially, it is being said that the flying taxis will be reserved for high-end customers looking for premium travel, and gradually these will open up to the general public at more affordable prices and change the future of the city. In the future, these will bring air taxis into the mainstream instead of road travel.
6. Multiple Vertiports, Connecting Areas
The places for flying taxis in Dubai will be known as vertiports and these will connect four areas of Dubai: Dubai International Airport, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah. It is under consideration that the vertiports will have four stands and two landing areas for air taxis, which will be connected to metro stations.
7. Pilot-less taxis
No more fear! These taxis are being designed in such a way that they will be operated by an automated system and artificial intelligence. However, initially, they will be monitored by a human to ensure the safety of the passengers.
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How much will Dubai’s flying taxis cost?
According to Condé Nast Traveler, Joby estimates that the fare for one trip will be around $75. However, it is important to note that the exact fare is yet to be decided. Reports also suggest that the fare will be comparable to the expensive Uber Black rides. The taxi will have glass walls and a windshield that extends to the ceiling, offering spectacular views of the city of Dubai during the flight.
How to book Dubai’s flying taxis?
The booking a flight will be as easy as booking an Uber, allowing you to choose your route and board with just the press of a button. As the service grows, passengers will soon be able to book rides to sightseeing spots and hotels, as well as enjoy panoramic views from the air taxi’s huge glass sides and windscreen.
Although they may look like helicopters, these air taxis make very little noise (said to be about the size of a light raindrop) — and these trips produce no operational emissions. They will be piloted by experienced commercial pilots who have already flown hundreds of test flights, totalling more than 60,000 kilometres.
How will Dubai’s flying taxis work?
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has confirmed that these air taxis will pick up passengers from four vertiports in the city’s key locations – Downtown, Dubai International Airport (DXB), Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah. Capable of carrying four passengers at speeds of up to 320 kilometres per hour with a pilot, these air taxis will take just 12 minutes to reach DXB from Palm Jumeirah – a journey that would take over 45 minutes by road (on a good day). In the future, there are plans to connect this service to specific hotels, making it easier for passengers to get straight to their destination as soon as they land at the airport.
What will Dubai’s flying taxis look like?
Under RTA’s agreement with Joby Aviation, these flying taxis will be fully electric. Although they may look like helicopters – with six small rotary systems mounted on top rather than one large system – it will still be an extremely quiet ride, and noise levels are said to reach just 45 decibels, similar to the sound of rain. The glass sides and wide floor-to-ceiling windscreen will ensure that passengers can enjoy panoramic views of the city below during the journey.
Are Dubai’s flying taxis safe?
These air taxis will be operated by experienced commercial pilots who have participated in extensive testing ahead of the launch. According to Joby, hundreds of test flights spanning over 60,000 kilometres have been safely completed so far.