Uber, the most popular ride-sharing app, has expanded its horizons and introduced flight bookings in the United Kingdom.
The corporation says it will use the UK as a test market to determine whether it wants to expand into other nations in the future.
Uber has partnered with Hopper, a mobile-first travel platform that has seen roughly 100 million downloads to date.
They have teamed up to sell international and domestic flight tickets using the Uber app.
Uber in a statement on Wednesday said it is pleased to introduce flight bookings as the latest addition to its suite of travel booking options which is Perfect for business travelers and tourists alike.
The new functionality, according to Uber will make the booking and managing of air travel simple and stress-free, with the booking process taking as little as one minute in the Uber app.
Uber has become a one-stop travel shop during the past 12 months with the addition of train, coach, and now aircraft reservations, according to Andrew Brem, general manager of Uber UK.
According to The Financial Times, Uber will take a small amount of commission from each sale, and it may consider increasing the price for flight bookings in the future by adding an extra fee. Uber’s primary ride-sharing business could benefit by encouraging customers to make other travel arrangements using the Uber app. The company says that airport trips account for 15% of Uber’s total gross bookings in the UK, with 40% of journeys beginning or ending near transit hubs like railway stations.
Uber also added a new feature to prevent getting lost at airports. The company added new airport ride-finding features to its app, allowing customers to book trips up to 90 days in advance.
It also offers thorough walking directions with graphics for major airports and modifies ETA estimates to account for traveling to baggage claim.