Virgin Atlantic has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Joby Aviation to introduce a revolutionary air taxi service across the UK, offering passengers fast and sustainable travel options.
The service will feature zero-emission aircraft developed by Joby Aviation, a California-based company known for its cutting-edge electric air taxis.
These eco-friendly aircraft are designed for rapid, back-to-back flights and accommodate a pilot and four passengers.
With speeds reaching 200 miles per hour, the aircraft use six tilting propellers to enable vertical take-off and landing while generating only a fraction of the noise of helicopters.
The upcoming air taxi service will connect regional and city destinations, starting with Heathrow Airport and Manchester Airport routes.
For example, the journey between Manchester Airport and Leeds could be reduced to just 15 minutes, compared to the typical one-hour car journey.
Similarly, a trip from Heathrow to Canary Wharf is expected to take just eight minutes, significantly faster than the 80-minute drive.
Joby’s all-electric air taxi at the company’s flight test facility in Marina, California. Credit: Joby Aviation
Although an official launch date has not yet been confirmed, the companies have assured travelers that the service is ‘on the horizon’.
Pricing details are yet to be revealed, but fares are expected to be ‘comparable with premium ground ridesharing options’.
Once operational, Virgin Atlantic customers can book seats on Joby’s aircraft via Virgin Atlantic’s app, website, and other booking platforms.
Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, emphasizing the airline’s dedication to sustainability and innovation.
He described the partnership as a step toward enhancing connectivity between UK airports and major cities.
JoeBen Bevirt, CEO of Joby Aviation, praised Virgin Atlantic for its strong focus on customer satisfaction and highlighted their joint commitment to delivering faster travel options across the UK.
Joby Aviation showcased its aircraft at the 2024 Farnborough International Airshow and has conducted extensive test flights in locations such as New York City, Japan, and Korea.
The company applied for certification from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in July 2022 and has since completed thousands of successful test flights.
With this strategic partnership, Virgin Atlantic and Joby Aviation aim to revolutionize UK travel, offering faster, eco-friendly, and innovative travel solutions for passengers.