Dubai: Flying cars are here! Chinese car maker Aridge conducts first manned flight, secures 600 orders

Chinese flying-car maker Aridge (formerly Xpeng Aeroht) conducted its first manned flight in Dubai on Oct 12, 2025 and simultaneously announced a bulk order of 600 units from GCC buyers, adding to more than 7,000 global pre-orders the company says it has. This marks a high-profile move into the Middle East as Aridge pushes toward commercial deliveries.

From longing to soaring, we break every boundary and embrace the infinite horizon.
From AEROHT to ARIDGE, we are born to fly, unlocking in a new era of personal flight. #ARIDGE #XPENGAEROHT #flyingcar #uae pic.twitter.com/JjyfkpNoBM

— ARIDGE (@ARIDGE_Official) October 12, 2025

The car that lifts off — not drives off
Here’s the cool part: this isn’t just a car with wings. Aridge’s flying car is a modular eVTOL meaning it can drive like a normal car and then take off vertically when the sky calls. Imagine leaving your office, folding up your car’s wings, and cruising over Dubai’s skyline. The demo over Dubai was designed to wow both regulators and wealthy early adopters and yes, it definitely worked.

Dubai flying car demo: What happened yesterday
During the demonstration, the flying car hovered effortlessly, performed controlled vertical ascent and descent, and demonstrated a seamless drive-to-fly transition. Witnesses described the scene as a mix of sci-fi spectacle and real-world innovation, with the car’s modular design clearly visible as it folded its wings and prepared for landing. Immediately following the flight, Aridge announced that it had secured 600 pre-orders from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) buyers, underlining strong regional demand for personal flying cars and urban air mobility solutions. This makes Dubai one of the first Middle Eastern cities to host a piloted eVTOL flight and positions the emirate as a key hub for the future of flying vehicles.

The event wasn’t just a publicity stunt. It demonstrated the safety, stability, and readiness of Aridge’s flying car technology while giving investors and regulators a clear glimpse of what urban air mobility in Dubai could look like. For enthusiasts and potential buyers, yesterday’s demo was a vivid preview of a future where traffic jams could be replaced by sky lanes and Dubai, as always, wants to be ahead of the curve.

600 GCC orders — that’s not small change
So why all the buzz about these 600 orders? Well:

• Real buyers, real money: Gulf fleets and companies are taking the leap. This isn’t just a sci-fi dream.
  
• Dubai loves firsts: The emirate is actively turning itself into a testing hub for futuristic transport, from air taxis to flying cars.
  
• Production gears: Aridge has already finished its manufacturing base in Guangzhou, meaning these flying cars could actually land in the GCC by 2027.
  

It’s a big “look, man - no roads!” moment for Dubai and the Gulf.

Backstory and announcement — how we got here
So who’s behind this futuristic ride? Aridge, formerly known as Xpeng Aeroht, is a Chinese flying-car startup aiming to turn sci-fi dreams into reality. The company has been quietly building electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) since 2021, focusing on urban air mobility, basically, cars that can drive on roads and fly in the sky.

The Dubai demo wasn’t just a spontaneous joyride. Aridge announced the flight on Oct 12, 2025, giving GCC buyers and the media a chance to see their tech in action. Why Dubai? The city has positioned itself as a global testing ground for futuristic transport, from autonomous cars to air taxis. By hosting the first piloted flight in the Middle East, Aridge signaled two things:

• They’re serious about the GCC market. The 600 pre-orders from Gulf buyers weren’t just random — they show strong regional appetite.
  
• They’re scaling fast. With over 7,000 pre-orders globally and a new manufacturing base in Guangzhou, Aridge is trying to move from prototype to production-ready faster than you can say “jetpack commute.”
  

Fun fact: the company’s earlier name, Xpeng Aeroht, links it to Xpeng Motors , the Chinese electric car giant, but Aridge is now running independently to focus purely on air mobility. In short, this Dubai flight is a milestone in a carefully plotted global expansion and it’s putting flying cars firmly on the GCC map.

How to get your flying car and what it might cost
So, you’re thinking: “Okay, Dubai looks amazing from above… how do I get one of these flying cars?” Here’s the scoop on Aridge eVTOL orders in the GCC:

• Placing an Order: Aridge is currently taking pre-orders and deposits for GCC buyers. Interested buyers typically contact Aridge through official regional partners or their website to book a spot in the delivery queue. With 600 GCC orders already announced, acting fast is key if you want to be among the first.
  
• Expected Cost: Official prices aren’t fully public yet, but industry experts estimate a starting price between $300,000 to $500,000 for early models — roughly in line with other personal eVTOL vehicles globally. Think of it as a luxury supercar… that flies.
  
• Delivery Timeline: Production is ramping up at Aridge’s Guangzhou factory. GCC deliveries are expected to begin around 2027, assuming certification and airspace approvals go smoothly.
  

In short: getting your flying car takes money, patience, and a little bit of daring but for Dubai’s skyline enthusiasts, it could be the ultimate status symbol in urban air mobility.