Deal sealed between Virgin Atlantic and Joby for electric air taxi service in the UK

The collaboration builds on Joby’s existing partnership with Delta Air Lines, which holds a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic, bringing together three brands focused on faster, more convenient travel across the UK.

In 2022, Joby and Delta announced a multi-city partnership to pioneer community-to-airport transportation, which remains mutually exclusive across the US and UK. Joby’s UK partnership with Virgin Atlantic complements and expands its relationship with Delta.

“This agreement marks an exciting next chapter in our partnership with Joby and a significant step toward bringing electric air taxi services to the UK,” said Corneel Koster, CEO of Virgin Atlantic.

“Together, we’ll create more seamless journeys for our customers, making it easier than ever to travel between towns, cities, and our airports. Innovation has always been part of Virgin Atlantic’s DNA, and we’re proud to partner with Joby to help shape the future of travel while delivering the premium customer experience we’re known for.“

“Virgin Atlantic’s dedication to a world-class customer experience makes them the right partner to represent Joby in the UK, and this agreement reflects the next step in that relationship,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation.

“The UK is one of the most exciting markets for this technology, and this partnership could create significant opportunities for Joby as we bring air taxi service to some of the country’s busiest cities.”

Air taxi services planned from London Heathrow and Manchester
Under the agreement, Virgin Atlantic will offer Joby’s air taxi service through its booking platforms, including its mobile app and website. This will allow UK travelers to book a seamless air taxi connection alongside their long-haul flights.

Joby plans to launch services from Virgin Atlantic’s hubs in London and Manchester, with Manchester serving as the anchor for connections across northern England. Initial routes are expected to include Manchester Airport to Leeds in about 15 minutes and Heathrow to central London in as little as eight minutes—journeys that currently take more than an hour by car.

Joby will retain sole responsibility for aircraft operations, route management, and securing UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulatory approvals. Virgin Atlantic will support infrastructure integration and customer acquisition at both hubs. Over time, Joby expects to expand the network to serve a broad range of cities and communities across the UK.

Earlier this month, members of the public had the opportunity to experience Joby’s aircraft firsthand when a full-scale model was displayed at Potters Fields Park in London, opposite Tower Bridge. Visitors were able to sit inside the aircraft and imagine a future flight to Heathrow taking just minutes.

Joby’s aircraft uses six tilting propellers, allowing it to take off and land vertically while producing only a fraction of the noise generated by today’s helicopters. It is designed for rapid, consecutive flights on routes of up to 100 miles.