Uber is the international ride-hailing giant that is about to elevate its services to new heights, quite literally. Recently, the company affirmed its intention to enable the customers to request helicopter rides directly in the Uber application next year, which will be a significant move toward the future of urban air transport.
The Sky Is No Longer the Limit
As more people flock the cities, the helicopter service offered by Uber will offer an alternative and luxurious transportation service to commuters and tourists. Uber aims at transforming the art of moving through the cities by integrating both advanced technology and convenience in the aviation sector.
The Uber Helicopter Booking will operate in the following manner.
Like when one books a car, in the application, one will soon notice an option that is called Uber Air or Uber Copter. The option will enable the passengers to select a pickup point, fares, and book seats within seconds.
Uber has an intention to cover air routes between major airports and major metropolitan hubs and drive that would take an hour by car will only take 8-10 minutes in the air.
Testing Success in New York
Uber already tried this idea in New York City, which was named Uber Copter to make a connection between Manhattan and JFK Airport. The experiment was a success as the passengers saved up to 50 minutes at rush hour.
The company is also spread to other parts of the world with the hope that scheduled helicopter rides will be introduced in other key cities in the world by next year, after being encouraged by the response.
Affordability Meets Luxury
Although helicopter flights are usually characterized by expensive price, the scheme of Uber is intended to make flying an accessible experience to a greater number of people. The firm will implement shared ride systems where one flight can be booked by a number of passengers and this will greatly reduce the costs.
The prices, which are not lower than the price of a car ride, will be competitive with the luxury transport services, which will attract business executives, travelers interested in saving time, and tourists.
Future of Air Taxis and Sustainability.
Uber does not rest on its laurels of helicopters. It is already investing in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, which are to be used in quieter, cleaner, and more efficient urban air mobility.
These planes will ultimately substitute the fuel-fueled helicopters and assist Uber to proceed to zero-emission aerial network in the 2030s.
Collaboration with Aviation Leaders.
Uber has collaborated with leading aviation and infrastructure players in a bid to realize this ambitious project.
This will also make sure that the flying taxis of Uber will not be disruptive in the current airspace and they will also be able to maintain high levels of passenger safety.
The importance of Helicopter Rides in Future Cities.
The expansion of cities limits traditional ground transportation. Helicopter and eVTOL rides are the future where individuals will be able to bypass traffic and reduce the congestion at the lower level, bridging the urban and suburban areas effectively.
It is thought that this innovation will transform city planning, business travelling, and even tourism.
When and Where You Need It.
The launch of the helicopter rides offered by Uber is scheduled to officially start next year, starting with such cities as Los Angeles, Dubai, London, and Tokyo. In case of success, then there will be expansion to additional hubs in other parts of the world shortly after.
A New Era of Air Mobility
Since vehicles, scooters, and most recently planes, Uber is constantly transforming into a mobility ecosystem and not a transportation one. Its mission, which is to make movement seamless, now has gone to the skies as well as roads.
Conclusion.
It is the first worldwide mainstream helicopter booking service that is set to transform our way of thinking about travelling. Under Uber management, air mobility in cities ceases to be a dream of the future - it becomes a fact of the following year.