UberAir Could Launch On-Demand Aircraft in Los Angeles by 2020
Uber already offers riders a variety of vehicle options to choose from, but the rideshare giant has more than just ground-based modes of transportation in mind for the future — including getting you to your destination via air.
Uber's head of product Jeff Holden announced on Wednesday that the it has plans to launch its aerial taxi service in Los Angeles by 2020. The new service its called UberAir, and plans are already in the works to launch similar operations in Dallas and Dubai.
Effectively, Uber customers will be able to request an UberAir ride, go to the nearest launchpad on a rooftop and hop in a small electric plane with propellors that allow the aircraft to take off and fly like a helicopter. Uber released a promotional video of how it envisions the service working:
"Technology will allow LA residents to literally fly over the city's historically bad traffic, giving them time back to use in far more productive ways," Holden said. "At scale, we expect UberAir will perform tens of thousands of flights each day across the city."
Uber announced that it's teamed up with NASA to develop a specialized air traffic control network, which will help the UberAir aircraft navigate the more-crowded skies. Managing the UberAir aircraft, as well as those within commercial airspace will take coordination between the two organizations.
Sandstone Properties and Uber also announced that the two signed an agreement to develop UberAir's Skyport rooftop takeoff and landing terminals. Sandstone has 20 buildings around LA, allowing for passengers to fly from one terminal to the next.
This is an exciting development from Uber. The company is saying that we could see these aircraft take to the skies by 2020, so it's not too distant in the future. Being able to avoid car traffic could be a game changer — especially in Los Angeles, a city notorious for bumper-to-bumper congestion.
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Rewards Rate
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro Offer
Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
$395Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month