Last month, Uber announced plans to be a “one-stop shop” for transport. Today, it’s announced the next step on that journey: the ability to book both domestic and international flights from the same app that Londoners have used for taxi services for more than a decade.
Flight booking will be provided by the online travel agent Hopper and, according to Uber UK’s General Manager, Andrew Brem, will take “as little as one minute”.
Upon entering travel details and the dates, Uber users will be able to select both the departing and returning flights of their choice, before paying in the app. Uber says that with “major carriers” you’ll also be able to select seats in the app.
While holidaymakers with an eye for a bargain will likely prefer to shop around using the likes of Skyscanner, the change certainly has convenience on its side. And travellers will enjoy the benefits that Hopper offers its customers directly. These include a Flight Disruption Guarantee, the ability to cancel or change for “any reason”, and Price Freeze — where you can lock in a price for a small deposit while you make other arrangements.
With Uber recently introducing step-by-step airport directions, and now supporting trains across the National Rail network and Eurostar; coaches with National Express and Megabus; and even Thames Clippers, it really is turning into a one-stop app for travel in the UK and beyond. However, to begin with, flights will be exclusive to UK customers.
“We’re incredibly pleased to introduce flight bookings as the latest addition to Uber’s suite of travel booking options,” said Brem. “Over the last 12 months with the addition of rail, coach and now flight bookings, Uber is truly a one-stop travel solution.”
The feature will be available to all UK users “this summer”. However, if you’re booking your flights for the school summer holidays, you probably won’t want to leave it until then, no matter how convenient it aims to be.
