Joby and Virgin Atlantic Partner for Emissions-Free Air Travel

Joby Aviation and Virgin Atlantic have announced a partnership to bring electric air taxi services to the UK, marking a major step toward sustainable, high-speed urban air travel. The collaboration aims to introduce Joby’s all-electric, vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to British skies.

“As a leader in sustainability and with innovation firmly in our DNA, we are delighted to be partnering with Joby to bring short-haul, zero-emission flight to airports and cities throughout the UK,” stated Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic. “Our strategic partnership combines Joby’s expertise in design, engineering and technology with the power of Virgin Atlantic’s brand and award-winning customer experience.”

This partnership builds on Joby’s existing agreement with Delta Air Lines, which owns a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic. The plan is to integrate Joby’s air taxis into Virgin Atlantic’s network, starting with connections from Heathrow and Manchester Airport. In exchange, Virgin Atlantic will help Joby navigate UK regulations, develop the necessary infrastructure, and promote the service to customers.

Joby’s aircraft is designed to carry a pilot and four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph, with a range of 100 miles per charge. Unlike helicopters, it operates at a fraction of the noise level to fit into urban environments. Routes could include an 8-minute trip from Heathrow to Canary Wharf or a 15-minute flight from Manchester to Leeds—short hops that would take over an hour by car.

Joby has already conducted thousands of test flights and has demonstrated its aircraft in cities such as New York, Tokyo, and Seoul. It exhibited its air taxi in the UK for the first time at the 2024 Farnborough International Airshow and has applied for certification with the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

Passengers will be able to book flights through Virgin Atlantic’s website and app. Pricing is expected to be similar to premium ground ridesharing options. With regulatory approvals in progress and infrastructure planning underway, Joby and Virgin Atlantic aim to launch operations in the coming years.

FMI: www.jobyaviation.com, www.virginatlantic.com