Uber to Let New Yorkers Book Helicopter Flights to JFK, Newark and the Hamptons
New York rollout follows Joby Aviation’s purchase of Blade’s passenger business and signals a test case for future eVTOL integration and global expansion
Uber users in New York will soon be able to book helicopter trips to John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport and the Hamptons directly from the ride-hailing app, the companies announced. The service is due to begin next year as part of an expanded partnership between Uber and Joby Aviation.
The move builds on Joby’s recent acquisition of Blade Air Mobility’s passenger business in a deal valued at about $125 million and on a years-long collaboration between Joby and Uber. For the near term, flights booked through Uber will rely on Blade’s existing helicopter network; the partners say they will move to Joby’s all‑electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft once those aircraft receive Federal Aviation Administration certification.
Joby said the integration will let millions of Uber customers make seamless multimodal bookings — combining ground and air travel in a single app experience. Joby founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt described the arrangement as a way to "accelerate the adoption of urban air travel," and said integrating Blade’s established routes into the Uber app will introduce more people to air mobility sooner. Uber President and COO Andrew Macdonald said the company has long believed in the potential of advanced air mobility to deliver "safe, quiet, and sustainable transportation" to cities.
Blade operated more than 50,000 passenger flights in 2024 across New York and Southern Europe, and currently runs terminals at JFK, Newark, two in Manhattan and one in the Hamptons. In Europe, Blade’s routes link destinations along the French Riviera including Nice, Monaco and St. Tropez. The companies said the New York rollout will serve as a test case for wider expansion into other major markets, including Los Angeles, Dubai, London and Tokyo, subject to regulatory approvals.
Under the plan, Blade’s current helicopter operations will continue while Joby works toward FAA certification of its eVTOL aircraft. Joby’s piloted, four-passenger eVTOLs are designed to cruise at about 200 miles per hour, to produce substantially lower noise than conventional helicopters and to operate with zero emissions when powered by electricity. Joby has touted the aircraft as producing roughly 100 times less noise than a typical helicopter, a feature the companies say will be important to public acceptance.
The rollout marks Uber’s most significant push yet into short-distance urban air travel and reflects broader industry efforts to integrate advanced air mobility into existing transportation networks. Joby and Uber first partnered in 2019 on air mobility initiatives, and Joby acquired Uber’s Elevate division in 2021.
Companies did not disclose pricing for flights booked through the Uber app. Officials said the program will initially use Blade’s terminal network and aircraft while Joby pursues certification, with plans to electrify routes over time starting in New York. Expansion into additional cities will depend on regulatory approvals, infrastructure readiness and market demand.
Local officials and advocacy groups have in recent years raised concerns about the environmental and quality-of-life impacts of helicopter flights. In New York, lawmakers have proposed stricter limits on tourist flights, and environmental groups have scrutinized noise and emissions from helicopter operations. Regulators will likely examine the transition to eVTOLs for noise, safety, airspace integration and environmental impacts.
Industry observers say integrating air services into mainstream mobility apps could broaden the customer base for short-haul air travel, but noted the success of such programs will hinge on certification timelines, operating costs, infrastructure such as vertiports or helipads, and regulatory approvals. Joby and Uber said they expect the integrated booking experience to make air mobility more accessible to a larger portion of urban travelers.
The partners plan to roll out the Uber-bookable flights in New York next year and to evaluate demand and operations before pursuing extensions to other global markets. Until Joby’s eVTOLs are certified, customers will continue to fly on helicopters operated under Blade’s existing service network.