Joby Aviation, a California-based company developing electric air taxis, has announced a partnership with Virgin Atlantic to launch its innovative air taxi service in the UK. This collaboration builds upon an existing agreement between Joby and Delta Air Lines, which owns a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic, to introduce air taxi services in both the US and the UK.
The partnership aims to provide seamless, zero-emission, short-range journeys across the UK, initially focusing on regional and city connections from Virgin Atlantic's hubs at Heathrow and Manchester airports. Virgin Atlantic will assist Joby in marketing the service to its customers, engaging with regulators, and supporting the development of landing infrastructure at key airports.
Joby's electric air taxi can carry a pilot and up to four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph.
JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby, commented on the new partnership: “Virgin Atlantic's commitment to delighting its customers reflects our experience with Delta, and we couldn't imagine a better partner to work with in the UK.”
The air taxi uses six tilting propellers, enabling it to take off and land vertically with minimal noise compared to traditional helicopters. The aircraft is designed for rapid, back-to-back flights and is expected to serve routes of up to 100 miles. Joby has already completed thousands of test flights, including in New York City, Japan and Korea.
In the UK, potential routes could include a 15-minute flight from Manchester Airport to Leeds or an eight-minute journey from Heathrow to Canary Wharf, significantly reducing travel times compared to car journeys. Over time, Joby plans to expand its network of landing locations across the UK, offering competitive pricing comparable to premium ground transportation options.
