Dubai’s Sky Taxis Are Coming in 2026

Dubai is moving one step closer to flying taxis. In a recent test flight over the desert, Joby Aviation’s electric air taxi performed a full demonstration, taking off vertically like a drone, shifting into high-speed horizontal flight, and landing smoothly.

This marks the first international piloted test of the aircraft and a major milestone for Dubai’s aerial mobility plans. The city has granted Joby exclusive rights to operate air taxis through 2032, aiming to launch the service commercially by 2026.

Joby’s air taxi can fly up to 160 kilometers at speeds of 320 km/h, offering travelers a quiet, zero-emission alternative to ground traffic. A trip from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah, for example, could take just 12 minutes instead of 45 by car.

While tickets may be pricey at first, Joby says it aims to make the service widely accessible over time. Four vertiports are planned initially, and the project is expected to ease congestion and cut commute times in one of the world’s busiest cities.