Buckle up, because Dubai’s skyline is about to get a futuristic upgrade with flying taxis set to soar by early 2026! The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), teamed up with California’s Joby Aviation, is gearing up to launch these high-flying rides, slashing travel times and offering a greener alternative to gridlocked roads. Test flights are slated for next year, with full operations ready to transform urban travel.

These electric air taxis, operating from four state-of-the-art vertiports at Dubai International Airport (DXB), Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah, will whisk four passengers and a pilot at speeds up to 320 kmph. Imagine zipping from DXB to Palm Jumeirah in just 12 minutes—beating a 45-minute car ride! Powered by four battery packs and six propellers, each aircraft boasts a 160 km range and a sleek drone-helicopter design with massive glass panels for epic city views, all at a whisper-quiet 45 decibels.

Booking? As easy as hailing an Uber. Joby’s partnership with Uber could let you schedule your sky ride via the app. Fares are expected to start at around $75—think premium Uber Black vibes—but prices may drop as the service grows, aiming to make air taxis a daily commute option.

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Safety first: Certified pilots will helm every flight, backed by Joby’s 60,000+ km of incident-free test flights. While Dubai leads the charge, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia’s NEOM are hot on its heels, signaling a Gulf-wide air mobility revolution. Get ready to fly over Dubai’s iconic landmarks in style!

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