Today's Edition
SAMIHAH ZAMAN (ABU DHABI)
American electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla last week demonstrated its flying sports car – the Roadster – at its testing facility in Texas, in the presence of company CEO and billionaire Elon Musk. The showcase has sparked imagination across social media, with users in the UAE using the opportunity to highlight the vigilance of the UAE’s traffic authorities and the safety of its roads.
While many users have taken to their social media platforms to imagine what life on the road might look like if cars could take to the skies – including faster commutes to work and reduced road tolls – others have jumped on the opportunity to profile their own technologies in the context of a flying vehicle with advanced capabilities.
The Roadster electric sports car was shown performing airborne stunts and flips. Even though the vehicle is not approved for public road use, the spectacle quickly became meme material across the globe.
Social Media Response
In the UAE, the trend has taken on a distinctly local flavour.
One imagined scenario sees drivers using flying cars to soar over toll gates. Other users have responded with counter-memes focusing on the quick response and safety focus of the UAE’s traffic authorities, who would ensure that even the skies are safe by introducing airborne traffic patrols and floating gates.
Meaning, several accounts posted AI-generated videos of flying cars soaring past prominent UAE landmarks, and one envisioned Abu Dhabi’s beloved golden taxis from the yesteryears returning with flying features.
A car rental firm used the trend to showcase how quickly its rentals are delivered to customers, while a Dubai-based restaurant posted a meme that said the urgent craving for mandi is the “real reason cars need to fly”.
Lulu Hypermarkets, one of the UAE’s leading retailers, jumped on the trend, posting their own version to highlight the ongoing 10,000 trolleys campaign, which enables shoppers to earn back the value of their purchases.
Globally, Alef Aeronautics, a California-based company clapped back with a video of its electric flying car soaring over a Roadster and a Tesla Cybertruck. "Welcome Tesla and Elon Musk to the flying car race! We've been here for ELEVEN YEARS!", the company said, adding that its airborne vehicles had already logged 1,000 flights.
Roadster Availability
Tesla lists the Roadster on its UAE website, already allowing users to “reserve” the vehicle with “Rocket trim”, even though production is scheduled to begin only in 2028.
Its description says the car is “air ready with seating for one”, and that it features “a multi-mode suction system paired with cold-gas thrusters…that support forward and upward acceleration as well as lateral rotational movement”.
“So yes, it can fly,” the blurb on the website confirms.
eVTOL Advancement
The Roadster is one of a number of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles that have captured the public imagination. In contrast to airborne cars, the majority of these resemble large drones, and are capable of longer flights than simple thrusters – such as those in the Roadster – would allow.
Abu Dhabi is already building the infrastructure to support electric flying taxis, with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office – in collaboration with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Abu Dhabi Mobility, and Abu Dhabi Airports – announcing a network of more than 10 vertiports in November 2025. The network is planned to connect key destinations, including Zayed International Airport, Al Bateen Executive Airport, Yas Island and Saadiyat Island.
Earlier, in July 2025, Archer Aviation conducted test flights of its Midnight eVTOL aircraft at Al Bateen Executive Airport to assess performance and readiness in local heat, humidity and dust conditions.
Meanwhile, in November 2025, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in collaboration with Joby Aviation, completed the first crewed aerial taxi flight between Joby’s test facility in Margham and Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai World Central).
The 17-minute flight coincided with the Dubai Airshow, and marked the first time a crewed eVTOL flight was completed between two distinct points in the UAE.
Dubai is also forging ahead with the development of vertiports to support eVTOL deployment.
