The first four vertiports have also been unveiled…

If Dubai’s traffic has been wearing you down, here’s some exciting news: flying taxis are set to officially take off in Dubai in the first quarter of 2026!

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has confirmed that its first fully electric air taxis will begin operations in just over 18 months, initially servicing four vertiports.

Powered by Joby Aviation, Dubai’s innovative new mode of transport is designed to service key areas of the city and connect travelers with the airport. The inaugural flying taxis will operate from Dubai International Airport (DXB), Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Downtown. However, the specific locations of the vertiports within these areas have not yet been disclosed.

Each flying taxi is designed to accommodate a pilot and four passengers, with a maximum speed of 320 km/h. This means it could reduce your travel time between DXB and Palm Jumeirah from 45 minutes by car to just 10 to 12 minutes, according to Tyler Trerotola, Joby Aviation’s Middle East general manager.

The announcement was made by Khaled Al Awadhi, Director of the Transportation Systems Department at Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), during the World Congress and Exhibition on Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS World Congress) in Dubai. The news was first reported by the state news agency, WAM.

How will bookings work?

Joby previously confirmed their partnership with Uber, so when the air taxi service launches, you’ll be able to book your trip just like a regular taxi through the app. You can also make reservations via the official RTA app, and Joby is working on developing their own app, which will be launching soon.

Once your booking is complete, you’ll arrive at the vertiport and go through a terminal before boarding your aircraft. The boarding process will take about five minutes. After you arrive at your destination and deboard, Joby will facilitate a connection to an Uber, ensuring a seamless journey to your final destination.

How much will flying taxis cost?

Surprisingly, it won’t be as expensive as you might think! Joby aims to set prices around the same level as an Uber Black per trip. Initially, the cost may be slightly higher, but to remain competitive with regular land taxis, prices are expected to gradually decrease.