Uber, the ride-hailing giant, has set its sights on becoming a “travel super app” by expanding its services beyond ride-hailing. The company has recently ventured into the world of air travel by offering flight bookings for domestic and international flights. While the service is currently only available in the UK, Uber has plans to expand it to the US and other regions soon, according to Financial Times.
The move is part of Uber’s broader ambition to become a one-stop-shop for all travel-related needs. With the introduction of flight bookings, Uber aims to provide its customers with a seamless travel experience, where they can book their flights, rides, and accommodations all in one place.
According to Uber, the UK launch of its flight booking service is a testbed for the company’s plans to do the same in other regions. In addition to flights, Uber has also been testing bookings for national and international rail journeys and coach bookings in the UK.
How Uber Benefits In The Short Term
Uber’s primary objective is to boost demand for its core car services by introducing flight bookings. The company believes that if customers book their flights through the Uber app, they are more likely to use its ride-hailing services to travel to and from the airport. In essence, the flight booking service is a gateway for customers to experience the convenience and ease of using Uber’s other services.
Uber’s expansion into the travel industry is not a new phenomenon. The company has been gradually expanding its services beyond ride-hailing, offering options such as bike rentals, food delivery, and even a freight shipping service. However, adding flight bookings marks a significant step in the company’s evolution as it seeks to establish itself as a major player in the travel industry.
Uber’s Long Term Strategy
As part of its broader goal to become a “super app,” Uber’s agreement last year to incorporate all yellow cabs in New York City into its platform was a step towards achieving this objective. However, Uber has expressed its desire to expand beyond the travel industry altogether, indicating that its ambitions extend far beyond including taxis and flight bookings in its app.
“We want Uber to be the operating system for your everyday life,” said chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi.