Ever get stuck in traffic in an Uber. Yeah, frustrating. But soon you might be able to skip it by flying over it.Uber says it's adding Blade helicopter rides to its app as soon as next year through its partnership with Joby Aviation, an electric air taxi maker. That news comes a month after Joby closed its $125 million takeover of Blade, a company that flew more than 50,000 passengers last year out of 12 urban terminals. Uber is calling it the next generation of travel.Joby says its aircraft will carry four ...

Core Insights - Uber is set to launch helicopter rides through its app in partnership with Joby Aviation by 2026, marking a new venture into air transportation [1][4] - Joby Aviation recently completed a $125 million acquisition of Blade, which chartered over 50,000 passengers last year from 12 urban terminals [2][3] - The integration of Blade into the Uber app is seen as a significant step in their partnership, aiming to introduce quiet, zero-emissions aircraft in the future [3] Company Developments - Joby Aviation's acquisition of Blade does not include its medical organ transplant division, focusing instead on air transportation [2] - Uber has a long-standing interest in air transportation, having first partnered with Joby in 2019 and sold its Elevate flying taxi division to Joby in 2020 [3] - Uber's leadership believes this partnership will lead to a "next generation of travel," with more details on booking expected closer to the launch date [4] Industry Context - The air taxi market is competitive, with various companies seeking regulatory approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to bring their solutions to market [5] - Proponents of air taxi technology argue it can alleviate traffic congestion and reduce emissions, highlighting its potential benefits for urban transportation [5]