Joby’s bet on Blade is paying off: Uber deal boosts air taxis in NYC and other key markets

Soon you may be able to book an Uber ride in the skies. On Wednesday, the San Francisco-based ride-sharing service announced it is partnering with Joby Aviation, a company developing electric air taxis, to bring Blade’s helicopter service to the Uber app as soon as next year.

Last month Joby acquired Blade Air Mobility, which flies passengers by seaplanes,` in a $125 million deal, providing Joby with an established network of terminals.

The partnership lays the foundation for Joby’s introduction into key urban markets, and for a faster entry into commercial service once its all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircrafts are certified.

Last year, Blade flew more than 50,000 passengers in the New York metro area, including to and from Newark Liberty International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Manhattan, and the Hamptons—as well as in Southern Europe.

As Fast Company previously reported, Joby’s all-electric fleet is designed to travel up to 200 miles per hour, with minimal noise and zero operating emissions, with four passengers. The company aims to revolutionize urban travel with faster, quieter commutes and less traffic congestion.

“We’re excited to introduce Uber customers to the magic of seamless urban air travel,” Joby CEO JoeBen Bevirt said in a statement. “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. Together with Uber’s global platform and Blade’s proven network, we’re setting the stage for a new era of air travel worldwide.”

Joby successfully completed a series of piloted flights in Dubai back in June, a first for the region’s eVTOL aircraft sector. The company plans to launch there in 2026.

Uber has been working with Joby to deliver urban air mobility since 2019.

Joby and Uber financials

Shares in Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE: JOBY) stock soared in pre-and early trading on Wednesday, only to lose much of the early gains. The stock was trading up about 1% by midday. Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER) was down over 1%.

In its Q2 2025 earnings, for the quarter ending on June 30, Joby Aviation reported EPS (earnings per share) of –$0.24, which missed estimates of -$0.18. Revenue was down 94.6% year-over-year to $0.02 million, coming in below analyst estimates of $0.05 million.

Meanwhile, Uber’s Q2 2025 earnings beat expectations, with revenue coming in at $12.65 billion, marking a growth of 18% year-over-year, beating estimates of $12.46 billion. Earnings per share came in at $0.63.