FLY AWAY: Uber to offer flight reservations through UK app

Ride-booking giant Uber has announced its latest move to diversify its services by enabling its UK customers to book flights through its app.

Consumers will soon have access to domestic and international flights via the Uber app, made possible through a partnership with travel agency Hopper. The feature will be available to all British users by the summer, according to the company.

Currently, customers can already use Uber’s ride-booking app to reserve coach tickets for Megabus and National Express services, and purchase train tickets across the National Rail network, including Eurostar. In 2020, Uber also took over London’s Thames Clippers commuter boat service, rebranding it as “Uber Boat”.

To book a flight, Uber users in the UK will be required to enter their travel details, which cover where they are travelling to and from, along with the intended date of travel. Users can then choose from one-way or return fares, and select and pay for seats in the app, if the carrier is a major airline. Uber will receive a commission for each sale made.

Andrew Brem, Uber UK General Manager, said: “Our new functionality will make the booking and managing of air travel simple and stress-free, with the booking process taking as little as one minute.”