Dubai Air Taxi Era Takes Shape: Joby Aviation on Public Display at Dubai Mall
Dubai residents can now see the future of urban transport up close. An electric air taxi developed by the company is on public display until February 5, 2026, offering a rare look at how the city plans to move people through the air by the end of the year.
Where to See the Air Taxi in Dubai
The all-electric aircraft is set up near the Dubai Mall Fountain Boulevard in Downtown Dubai. Visitors can walk right up to the air taxi, take photos, and speak directly with Joby Aviation staff to understand how the service will operate once it launches.
- Location: Dubai Mall Fountain Boulevard, Downtown Dubai
- Dates: Until February 5, 2026
- Entry: Free and open to the public
The display is part of a broader public engagement campaign designed to familiarise residents with air taxis before they become a daily transport option.
What Exactly Is an Air Taxi?
The aircraft on display is an eVTOL—short for electric vertical take-off and landing. Unlike helicopters or traditional aircraft, eVTOLs lift off vertically from compact urban pads and then transition into forward flight.
According to Joby Aviation’s UAE flight operations team, the aircraft uses six tilting electric propellers. This design allows it to take off like a helicopter and then fly like an airplane, making it faster, more efficient, and significantly quieter.
At cruising altitude (around 1,000 feet), the aircraft is barely audible from the ground—an important factor for dense urban environments like Dubai.
Key Aircraft Specifications
- Capacity: 4 passengers + 1 pilot
- Top speed: Up to 320 km/h
- Travel time: DXB to Palm Jumeirah in ~10–12 minutes (vs ~45 minutes by car)
- Emissions: Zero operational emissions
- Noise: Much quieter than helicopters
Planned Routes and Vertiports
Joby’s initial Dubai network will connect four strategically located vertiports (air taxi launch pads), designed to link major residential, business, and tourism hubs.
- – Primary hub (around 60% complete)
- – Zabeel Dubai Mall parking area
- – Near Atlantis The Royal
- – Near the American University in Dubai
The network is designed to cut across traffic-heavy corridors and provide rapid point-to-point travel across the city.
When Will Air Taxis Start Operating?
Dubai’s air taxi rollout is planned in phases:
- Early 2026: Pilot-only test flights begin
- Mid-to-late 2026: Limited passenger flights for officials and select users
- End of 2026: Full commercial launch for the public
The project is being developed in coordination with the , which has stated that pricing will be positioned as an “everyday” premium public transport option.
How Much Will an Air Taxi Ride Cost?
While final pricing has not been announced, authorities have indicated that fares will be aligned with high-end ride-hailing services such as Uber Black, rather than being priced as an ultra-luxury experience.
The goal is to make air taxis a practical time-saving option for regular trips—not just a novelty for tourists.
Why Dubai Is Moving Fast on Air Mobility
Dubai’s population growth, tourism volumes, and expanding urban footprint have placed increasing pressure on road networks. Air taxis form part of a wider strategy to diversify transport options, reduce congestion, and position the city as a global leader in advanced mobility.
A successful test flight in late 2025—from Margham to Al Maktoum International Airport—demonstrated the viability of the concept, cutting a typical 50-minute car journey down to just 17 minutes.
Conclusion
The public display of Joby Aviation’s air taxi at Dubai Mall is more than a showcase—it’s a signal that urban air mobility in Dubai is moving from concept to reality. With commercial operations planned for the end of 2026, residents are now getting their first tangible glimpse of how the city’s transport landscape is set to change.
For a city known for turning ambitious ideas into everyday infrastructure, the air taxi may soon feel as normal as hailing a ride on the ground—just a lot faster.
