Blacklane Platinum Class debuts with Rolls-Royce in Dubai

Published on Aug 1, 2025, 8:47 am CDTUpdated on Aug 4, 2025, 7:57 pm CDT

4 min read

Premium chauffeur specialist Blacklane has launched a Platinum Class tier in Dubai, placing travelers inside chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II sedans. The Middle-East pilot, announced on July 24, 2025, marks the first time Blacklane has offered the ultra-luxury marque and signals a wider push into high-end, concierge-level ground transport. Executives say additional cities could follow "very soon," subject to demand and fleet availability.

Key Points

Why it matters: Rolls-Royce lifts Blacklane into an ultra-premium car segment.
Travel impact: Chauffeur-hailing and airport transfers gain new luxury choice at Dubai International.
What's next: Blacklane plans a phased global rollout if the Dubai pilot meets revenue goals.
Pilot vehicles feature two-tone livery, massaging rear seats, and specially trained chauffeurs.
Ghost pricing tops $422,750, underscoring the tier's exclusivity.

Snapshot

Dubai guests may now pre-book Platinum Class for airport transfers or request "immediate hailing" from select hotels and malls. Each ride arrives in a two-tone black-and-white Rolls-Royce Ghost, driven by a chauffeur who has completed advanced etiquette, safety, and discrete-service training. Ride amenities include finely grained leather, open-pore wood, metal brightwork, and reclining, massaging rear seats. Blacklane promises real-time flight tracking, one hour of complimentary airport wait time, and flat-rate pricing disclosed upfront.

Background

Founded in Berlin in 2011, Blacklane has grown to cover 50 countries and over 500 cities. Its U.S. "First Class" tier fields Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7-Series, and Audi A8 sedans, while "Electric Class" deploys Tesla and Jaguar I-PACE models. The company's drive-for-hire approach hinges on rigorous chauffeur vetting and a cloud-based booking platform. In 2018 Emirates tapped Blacklane to operate complimentary chauffeur-drive for First and Business passengers in ten gateway cities, including service from New York's JFK up to 50 miles. That airline tie-in helped cement Blacklane's luxury credentials ahead of today's Platinum Class launch.

Latest Developments

Platinum Class rollout details

Blacklane's Middle-East strategy targets travellers seeking a step above top-tier ride-share or limousine services. Dubai's concentration of ultra-high-net-worth individuals and steady inbound premium traffic made it the logical testbed, executives say. Operationally, the chauffeur service will field a limited fleet of Ghost sedans-each retailing at more than $422,000, according to Car and Driver-and restrict availability to maintain exclusivity. Customers can book via the Blacklane app or corporate travel platforms, selecting either point-to-point transfers or by-the-hour hire. Expansion to Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Riyadh is under evaluation, with North American and European launches tentatively slated for 2026.

Analysis

Blacklane's move aligns with a broader post-pandemic upswing in premium ground transport. Luxury chauffeur service demand has risen as corporate travelers reconnect and leisure visitors add bespoke experiences to itineraries. By introducing Platinum Class, Blacklane stretches its product ladder, capturing customers who might otherwise arrange a hotel house-car or a bespoke limousine hire. The vehicle choice also matters: the Rolls-Royce Ghost balances regal presence with a wheelbase short enough for urban curbside access, a key advantage in Dubai's dense hotel zone. Competitors such as Uber Reserve already dabble in high-end sedans, yet none deploy a branded Rolls-Royce fleet with uniform livery and service standards. If the pilot proves profitable, Blacklane could leverage its global network to scale quickly, negotiated through manufacturer fleet programs and localized chauffeur academies. Potential hurdles include securing sufficient Ghost inventory, navigating city licensing rules, and balancing operating costs against average ticket prices, especially once international expansion begins. For travelers, the news underscores a trend toward "first-class on four wheels," where airport-to-hotel legs mirror the cabin experience aloft.

Final Thoughts

Dubai's debut of Blacklane Platinum Class signals a new benchmark for on-demand luxury chauffeur service. By pairing the storied Rolls-Royce Ghost with trained, white-glove chauffeurs, Blacklane is betting that travelers will pay a premium for seamless, airport-style pampering on city streets. Expect the brand to watch occupancy rates and customer-satisfaction scores closely before extending the service to other global hubs-making now the perfect moment to secure a seat in the back of a Ghost and experience the difference that defines Blacklane Platinum Class.