Joby and Virgin Atlantic propel advanced air mobility in the UK
The future of urban air mobility in the UK is taking flight as California-based Joby Aviation and Virgin Atlantic unveil a partnership to introduce electric air taxi services…
March 16, 2025
The future of urban air mobility in the UK is taking flight as California-based Joby Aviation and Virgin Atlantic unveil a partnership to introduce electric air taxi services in the country.
With many electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) companies grappling with financial challenges and struggling to stay afloat, 2025 is on track to be the year that ‘makes or breaks’ eVTOL aspirations according to many industry insiders. This latest collaboration between Virgin Atlantic and Joby bolsters the latter’s position as a frontrunner in the race to deliver seamless, emission-free travel to and from major airports. The agreement also displaces Virgin Atlantic’s 2021 deal with Vertical Aerospace, which included an option for Virgin Atlantic to acquire up to 150 eVTOL VA-X4 aircraft and explore the development of air taxi services across the UK. The difference in the deal with Joby is that the the eVTOL developer will continue to own and operate the hardware.
Expanding on an existing collaboration
Building on Joby’s existing partnership with Delta Air Lines – which owns a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic – this new agreement will integrate Joby’s electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft into the UK’s transportation network. Initial routes will connect Virgin Atlantic’s UK hubs at London Heathrow and Manchester Airport with nearby cities, significantly reducing travel times.
Joby and Delta Air Lines announced a multi-city, commercial and operational partnership in 2022 aimed at pioneering community-to-airport transportation for customers backed by Delta’s $60 million upfront equity investment in Joby. While the partnership remains exclusive across the US and UK for at least five years following Joby’s commercial launch, it has now been extended to include Virgin Atlantic in the UK.
No better partner in the UK
Having exhibited its aircraft in the UK for the first time at the 2024 Farnborough International Airshow, JoeBen Bevirt, Joby’s founder and CEO, said he couldn’t “imagine a better partner than Virgin Atlantic to work with in the UK,”
Once operational, passengers will be able to book seats on Joby’s electric aircraft through Virgin Atlantic’s digital platforms. Designed to carry a pilot and four passengers at speeds of up to 200mph, Joby’s air taxi will provide a quieter and more efficient alternative to traditional transport. The partnership will also see Virgin Atlantic support Joby’s regulatory efforts and infrastructure development in the UK.
Optimised for rapid back-to-back flights, Joby’s air taxi, which is expected to be deployed on routes of up to 100 miles, has undergone thousands of test flights worldwide. The company expects to offer competitive pricing similar to premium ridesharing services and plans to expand its UK network with additional landing locations.
Combined expertise
“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,” commented Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic. He also noted that the collaboration will combine Joby’s expertise in design and engineering and technology with Virgin’s brand and award-winning customer experience.
Joby entered the final phase of certification for its upcoming electric air taxi at the end of 2024. The Type Inspection Authorisation (TIA) marks a major milestone in the aircraft’s certification process as the final phase before the aircraft can begin commercial passenger operations and involves validating the aircraft’s performance and safety according to previously-approved test plans. Joby plans to launch commercial passenger services by late 2025 or early 2026.
