Uber has agreed to acquire Blacklane, a Berlin-based chauffeur service app, as part of its push into premium travel offerings. The deal, subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to close by the end of 2026. Blacklane operates in over 500 cities worldwide.
Uber announced the acquisition of Blacklane, a startup founded in 2011 that connects travelers with independent local chauffeur services. The move aims to strengthen Uber's position in the luxury travel sector. Financial terms were not disclosed, and questions remain about how Blacklane will integrate with Uber's recent Uber Elite service, an invite-only luxury ride option launched several weeks ago. Blacklane provides on-demand hailing, long-distance rides, airport pickups with flight tracking, and by-the-hour bookings across more than 500 cities in over 60 countries, including several dozen U.S. cities like New York. It already operates in New York City. Jens Wohltorf, Blacklane's founder and CEO, described the deal as a milestone. 'This partnership marks a significant milestone in Blacklane’s next chapter and is a powerful step-change in introducing our service to new markets globally,' Wohltorf said in a statement. The acquisition comes amid growing competition, with Wheely announcing its U.S. entry in New York earlier this month, planning expansions to other cities.
