During the CES 2025 event, Uber revealed an exclusive, long-term collaboration with Delta Air Lines. This partnership allows those enrolled in the SkyMiles program to accumulate miles when they use Uber services or order from Uber Eats within the United States. As a result of this new alliance, Delta’s association with Lyft comes to a close.
The collaboration is set to kick off in the spring, offering Uber patrons access to benefits such as “enhanced Uber pickup and drop off experiences at Delta hubs,” according to the company’s official statement. However, when probed for more details, an Uber representative chose not to divulge further information.
Uber has committed to rewarding its customers, who have linked their accounts to a Delta Skymiles membership, with 1 mile for each dollar spent on $40+ orders from restaurants and grocery stores through Uber Eats, and on UberX rides to and from the airport. Premium Rides, such as Uber Comfort or Uber Black, will earn users 2 miles for every dollar spent. Moreover, riders who book in advance can earn 3 miles per dollar spent.
This association with Delta could be considered a stepping-stone in connecting the airline with Uber and Joby Aviation, an eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) startup. Joby Aviation has individual collaborations with both Uber and Delta. The partnership with Joby implies that Delta customers will eventually be able to utilize Joby’s electric air taxi service, initially launching in NYC.
Uber’s partnership with Joby is more comprehensive. Joby bought Uber Elevate, Uber’s urban air mobility unit, in 2020, allowing for the integration of their services into each other’s apps. This integration has created a smoother transition between ground and air travel. Furthermore, Joby’s air taxi software, ElevateOS, born from this partnership, promises to enable on-demand mobility similar to hailing an Uber ride.
In October of the previous year, all three companies conducted an event in NYC where they discussed the concept of interconnected mobility. However, they stopped short of announcing a complete three-way alliance.
Joby, financially supported by both Uber and Delta, is still in the process of securing the required certifications to operate an electric air taxi service but is targeting a 2025 launch.
Representatives from Uber, Joby, and Delta have refrained from disclosing any progress in what appears to be an imminent alliance.
