Uber agrees to buy Blacklane in push into executive chauffeur market
- Perry Richardson
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
Uber Technologies has agreed to acquire Blacklane, the Berlin-founded chauffeur booking platform, in a move that deepens the US group’s push into luxury and executive travel. The companies said on 30 March that the transaction is expected to close by the end of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Blacklane, founded in 2011, operates in more than 500 cities across over 60 countries, connecting customers with independent local chauffeur partners through its app and web platform. Uber said the deal would strengthen its recently announced Uber Elite chauffeur offer and expand its reach in a part of the market tied to planned, higher-service journeys.
The acquisition points to a bigger strategic tilt by Uber towards pre-booked and corporate-focused mobility, where trip planning, service consistency and premium vehicle standards matter more than on-demand pricing. Uber said executive travel is a fast-growing segment of its business and that pre-booked Uber Reserve trips have become one of the fastest-growing parts of its mobility division.
The deal could tighten competition in the premium ground transport market by bringing Blacklane’s supplier network into a larger global platform.
Deal would give Uber a Berlin-founded global chauffeur platform as it looks to grow higher-end, pre-booked travel services for corporate and premium passengers.
Uber described Blacklane as having become the chauffeur service of choice for executives at leading corporations, while Blacklane said it was built to bring “quality and consistency to travel”. The combination suggests Uber is seeking a stronger position with travellers and corporate accounts that need airport transfers, city-to-city rides and hourly chauffeur bookings booked in advance rather than on-demand.
The agreement also adds to a broader shift among ride-hailing and mobility groups towards higher-margin specialist services, including chauffeur and managed corporate transport. Until the deal completes, both companies remain separate, and the timing will depend on regulatory sign-off in the relevant markets.
Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber CEO, said: “Premium travel is one of the most exciting growth areas of Uber’s business. We want to offer the widest selection of options to meet our riders where they are: from the everyday commute to luxury rides. We’re incredibly impressed by what Blacklane has built and we’re eager to work with them to amplify how we deliver truly exceptional service to more people in cities around the world.”
Dr. Jens Wohltorf, founder and CEO of Blacklane, said: “Blacklane’s growth to date has been founded on consistently excellent service, wherever in the world our guests move. Fifteen years after our vision to make premium travel frictionless, we are bringing luxury hospitality expertise to Uber as a leading player in mobility. This partnership marks a significant milestone in Blacklane’s next chapter and is a powerful step-change in introducing our service to new markets globally.”
