Between vaccination recommendations, mask mandates, and increasing passenger traffic, air travel can feel more stressful than usual.
But for those who are ready to once again place their seat backs and tray tables in the full upright position, Uber this week introduced a handful of features aimed at making the airport experience “smoother and simpler than ever before.”
Uber Reserve at Airports
Uber Reserve launched last year, inviting riders to book trips up to 30 days in advance. Now optimized for airports, the function automatically adjusts reservations based on provided flight information.
“Your driver is ready and waiting at the airport when your flight lands—whether it’s on time, early, or delayed,” according to an Uber blog announcement, which promised curbside pickup “so you can step off the plane and into your ride.” Take your time collecting luggage, using the bathroom, or grabbing a snack: Drivers will wait up to 60 minutes at no additional charge.
Uber Reserve at airports is available for Uber Black and Uber Black SUV at more than 20 airports across the country, including Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte, Chicago (ORD and MDW), Dallas (DFW and DAL), Denver, Fort Myers, Houston (IAH and HOU), Miami (MIA, FLL, and PBI), Nashville, New Orleans, New York (JFK and LGA), Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. (DCA and IAD).
Ready When You Are
While most people are anxious to exit the airport as soon as possible, Uber doesn’t want to rush anyone. Speed walk your way to a waiting car, or take 20 minutes to freshen up after a long flight. Either way, Ready When You Are allows riders to select the pickup time that works best for them. The feature—currently piloting at six airports (Nashville, New Orleans, Portland, Philadelphia, Seattle, Toronto)—is available now on Android and coming next month to iOS.
Curbside Pickup
Using machine learning technology to predict demand ahead of time, Uber has begun dispatching drivers who can be matched with riders at the curb for quick, seamless pickup. Passengers can take advantage of the function at 15 airports around the world: Chicago (MDW), Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York (JFK and LGA), Philadelphia, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle in the US; as well as Kolkata (CCU), London (LHR), Montreal (YUL), Riyadh (RUH), and Toronto (YYZ).
Mobile Ordering for Pickup
Travel can work up an appetite, so Uber Eats is letting customers order and pay in-app from select airport restaurants to skip the line and pick up their meal. Currently available at the Toronto Pearson Airport, the feature will roll out to US terminals in the coming months.
