Uber’s mysterious algorithm has long been a talking point among drivers. From ride allocation to surge pricing, nobody truly knows the full picture of how it works. However, a recent observation from one driver has sparked fresh speculation — could Uber be favouring larger vehicles like minibuses and MPVs for airport bookings?
Driver Matty was recently contacted by a fellow Uber driver who has made the switch from a standard private hire car to a Mercedes V-Class. Since upgrading to the spacious MPV, the driver claims he’s seen a noticeable increase in airport jobs — and not just on UberXL or UberExecXL, but even on regular UberX.
“I used to get the odd airport run here and there in my saloon, but ever since I started driving the V-Class, it’s been non-stop,” he said. “It’s like the algorithm is picking me first for airport jobs.”
This has led to speculation that Uber’s system may quietly be prioritising larger vehicles for airport pickups, even if passengers book standard UberX rides. While Uber hasn’t made any official statement to support this theory, it wouldn’t be the first time the app subtly shifted how jobs are distributed.
Some drivers have long believed that factors like acceptance rate, cancellation rate, proximity, and even customer ratings can influence how many and what type of jobs they receive. Add to that vehicle type, and it raises the question — is Uber quietly steering airport jobs toward drivers with more luggage-friendly vehicles?
Alternatively, could it simply be coincidence? It’s possible that the driver’s new vehicle has just made him more appealing to certain types of passengers, or that his location and online hours align better with airport demand. Still, the pattern he’s observed is compelling enough to get other drivers wondering.
Have you noticed a change in your airport job frequency based on your vehicle type? Is your XL or MPV getting more work than your previous saloon or estate? Let us know your thoughts.
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