In the previous reports of the Ridesharing Forum site, you’ve heard of Uber-like services in the most unusual destinations like the Swiss Alps, serving mountaineers, as well as “Uber helicopters” in Italy, specifically in the beautiful destination that’s Capri.
This time, the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics is looking at having personal aircraft taxis or “airborne Uber.” To learn more about these, read on.
The complexity of the LA Olympics 2028
After the festive Paris 2024 Olympics, it’s going to be the turn of Los Angeles to show what they got to the world.
This isn’t the first time Los Angeles has hosted the Olympics. It has hosted the Summer Olympics twice before, specifically in 1932 and 1984. For the third time, it is hosting the 2025 Olympics.
Unlike the FIFA World Cup this year, which is happening in three countries, the Summer Olympics 2028 is going to be just held in one city, but the events will be complex.
While most events will be held in Los Angeles itself, the water and softball events will be side-stepped to Oklahoma City, which requires the spectators to move around. Hence, the need for reliable transportation.
The answer: personal aircraft taxis that will bring visitors to and from Oklahoma City and Los Angeles.
Personal aircraft taxis
Believe it or not, Los Angeles to Oklahoma City takes around 20 hours by car, and don’t go asking about by air, since there will be airport transfers and processes, for sure.
For Ken Carson, a University of Oklahoma aviation professor, an airborn Uber is the perfect solution.
“You could call it an airborne Uber,” he told Ridesharing Forum.
Carson is a retired USA Air Force officer and current professor in the university, saying that the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics could offer a testing ground for aircrafts that work like Uber, or something that spectators could book.
“The LA Olympics coming up in 2028 are looking at highlighting these advanced air mobility vehicles during that stage,” Carson further stated.
As a matter of fact, these airborne Uber taxis are already operational, according to ridesharing media. There were test runs done in New York City in 2023, and a commercial passenger service is expected to be launched this year, 2026.
“The vehicles are there,” Carson pointed out. “It’s now really just getting certified by the FAA and then, just like those cars that don’t have humans driving them, getting the people to get on board and trust it.”
Obstacles
But not without obstacles. The first challenge would be the regulations that need to be present. Uber on air is different from Uber on the road, so rules must be different.
“You can stay pretty much below 400 feet without any approvals, but if you get above 400 feet, you have to coordinate the mission,” he addded. “That’s what I do — I coordinate with the FAA on airspace for missions.”
Also, these aircraft must also travel only in low airspace and over less populated areas like railroad tracks. If you’re a fan of seeing drawings of flying cars, this could be a precursor. For more ridesharing news, keep browsing this Ridesharing Forum site.