Uber’s New Airport Kiosks Will Let Travelers Order Rides Without the App
Uber is rolling out a new way to hail a ride—by walking up to a physical kiosk, no smartphone required. The company revealed on Tuesday that its first booth is headed to LaGuardia Airport in New York, giving passengers an option reminiscent of lining up for taxis in pre-app days.
Uber confirmed that the initial kiosk will appear in Terminal C, with additional locations already under consideration. The company said the concept is aimed at settings like “hotels, ports and international airports in the coming months,” signaling a broader push to reach travelers who may not have data access or the Uber app on hand.
The rideshare platform framed the new setup as particularly helpful for international arrivals who find themselves disconnected upon landing. “Simply walk up to the kiosk, enter your destination, then start your ride type. The kiosk prints a paper receipt with your trip details, making the experience as straightforward as possible,” Uber said.
For now, Uber has not responded to questions about the timeline for installation at LaGuardia or the rollout schedule for additional cities. A spokesperson also told Bloomberg that next year’s surge of international tourism—driven in part by global events like the World Cup—creates a “strong opportunity” for growth. Uber will initially operate and maintain the kiosks itself, though that arrangement may shift over time.
Alongside the kiosk announcement, the company introduced a slate of other updates designed to smooth the holiday travel rush. One highlight is an expansion of the Uber Shuttle program, now extending service to Newark Liberty International Airport. With shuttles already running at John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia, Uber now covers all major New York–area airports with the offering.
Another new feature will allow riders to tip their drivers from their phone’s lock screen before the trip concludes. “With tipping now just a tap away, more riders can show appreciation in the moment – early pilots showing that this simple change has increased tips for drivers,” Uber said.
These developments follow earlier announcements about Uber’s autonomous vehicle plans. The company revealed that its robotaxi—built in partnership with Lucid and Nuro—will begin operating in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2026. The model is based on the Lucid Gravity SUV and will be used exclusively on Uber’s platform. Within six years, Uber says more than 20,000 of these driverless vehicles are expected to hit roads in multiple markets, available to customers directly through the app.
{Matzav.com}
