Things are looking up for the UK’s advanced air mobility (AAM) sector after Virgin Atlantic announced in the early hours of Sunday 16 March that it was partnering with Joby to propel electric air taxi services within the country.
The agreement strengthens California-based Joby’s position as a frontrunner in the race to deliver emission-free travel to and from airports in the UK, including Manchester and London Heathrow, both key hubs for Virgin Atlantic. Notably, this new deal displaces Virgin Atlantic’s 2021 agreement with Vertical Aerospace, which had included an option to acquire up to 150 eVTOL VA-X4 aircraft and explore bringing short-haul, electric vehicle connectivity to and from major UK cities and airports, including London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Manchester.
Advancing zero-emission flights
Commenting on the new agreement with Joby, Virgin Atlantic Shai Weiss said, “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.”
He added that collaboration “combines Joby’s expertise in design, engineering and technology with the power of Virgin Atlantic’s brand and award-winning customer experience.”
Unlike the previous arrangement with Vertical Aerospace, this latest deal will see Joby retain ownership and operation of the aircraft, while Virgin Atlantic will support regulatory approvals and infrastructure development as well as marketing the service to its customers who will be able to book seats on Joby’s aircraft through Virgin Atlantic’s app, website and other channels.
Electric air taxi routes in the UK
Virgin Atlantic has highlighted potential UK routes using Joby’s air taxi, which is designed to carry four passengers and a pilot. For instance, a typical journey could include a 15-minute flight from Manchester Airport to Leeds, or an 8-minute hop from Heathrow to Canary Wharf, routes that could otherwise take up to 80 minutes by car. Over time, Joby envisions a network of landing locations offering rapid and convenient travel around cities and communities throughout the UK. Route maps showing theoretical operations show trips in the London area that could cover as far as Norwich, Birmingham and Brighton, as well as seamless commuting connections between Gatwick, Stansted and Heathrow. Manchester-based electric air taxi routes could extend as far as Hull, York, Liverpool and Derby.
The agreement also builds on Joby’s existing partnership with Delta Air Lines, which owns a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic. In 2022, Joby and Delta announced a multi-city, commercial and operational partnership worth a potential investment of up to $200 million. The partnership – exclusive across the US and UK for a minimum five-year period following commercial launch – now extends to include Virgin Atlantic in the UK.
Challenges remain
While Joby’s air taxi has already completed thousands of test flights worldwide, several challenges remain before full-scale operations can begin. The company aims to offer competitive pricing similar to premium rideshare services, although fare details and operational costs including landing fees have yet to be confirmed. Additionally, with a maximum carrying capacity of four passengers, larger groups or families of five for instance will have to travel separately. Another hurdle is the investment required in vertiport infrastructure and charging facilities to support widespread eVTOL operations.
Regulatory approval, financial projections and specific launch timelines also remain uncertain. However, Joby took a major step forward in late 2024, by entering the final phase of certification for its electric air taxi. The company aims to launch commercial passenger services by 2026, and this latest agreement with Virgin Atlantic marks a key milestone, offering further validation from established aviation stakeholders, while accelerating Joby’s path to market and the future of electric air taxi services within the UK.
Image source: Virgin Atlantic
