Virgin Atlantic has partnered with Joby Aviation to bring fast, quiet, and eco-friendly air taxis to the UK. The partnership will start by providing eco-friendly connections from Heathrow and Manchester Airport.
Joby is a California-based company that develops electric air taxis for commercial passenger service. The partnership aims to revolutionise short-haul travel by providing zero-emission flights that connect major airports with nearby cities.
The first stage of the plan will launch an 8-minute journey from Heathrow to Canary Wharf and a 15-minute journey from Manchester Airport to Leeds. If successful, the service will expand to a range of routes from the two hubs. Joby plans to build a large network of landing locations that will offer rapid and convenient travel around destinations throughout the UK.
This is big news if you dread battling your way into central London or dealing with often-delayed train connections between northern cities. A quick, stress-free flight from Manchester to Leeds in just 15 minutes? I’m sure it will be a popular service!
Here are the proposed routes from Heathrow:
Additional route options from Manchester are also planned for the future:
The electric air taxis are designed to carry one pilot and up to four passengers. They can travel at speeds of up to 200 mph and have a range of up to 100 miles.
The aircraft operates with minimal noise due to its six tilting propellers, which allow it to take off and land vertically (far quieter than helicopters).
If you’re flying with Virgin Atlantic, you will be able to reserve seats on Joby’s air taxis via the Virgin Atlantic app or website.
Joby expects fares to be similar to premium ground transport services, though exact pricing details are yet to be confirmed.
A Shared Commitment to Innovation
Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic, 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. 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. We look forward to working together to bring Joby’s service to the UK and to deliver greater connectivity for our customers.”
JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, added:
“Virgin Atlantic’s commitment to delighting its customers reflects our experience with Delta and we couldn’t imagine a better partner to work with in the UK. Together, we are committed to delivering faster options for mobility across the country, including for Virgin Atlantic and Delta customers as they head to the airport or move between UK towns and cities.”
Joby Aviation has already completed thousands of test flights, including demonstrations in New York, Japan, and Korea.
The move follows Joby’s partnership with Delta (which owns a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic) in 2022, which included a $60 million investment to pioneer community-to-airport air taxi services in the US. While the partnership is mutually exclusive in the UK and US for five years after launch, it’s been extended to include Virgin Atlantic in the UK.
With the first routes expected to launch ‘soon’, this partnership is an exciting step towards transforming short-haul travel in the UK. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or just someone who dreads airport commutes, electric air taxis could be the most exciting change in UK travel in years.
What do you think about electric air taxis coming to the UK? Let us know in the comments below:
5 comments
Joby might want to consider a rename if they come to Scotland. A joby is sh!t, or as we say in Scotland, a sh!te, aka in America, a cr@p…. Or in middle class England the excruciatingly infantile, a poo ! Lol.
I’m certain no company on the planet would want their name synonymous with a bowel evacuation. Lol
Back to the old days of BCal’s helicopter from LGW to LHR + bit more eco of course!
If comments heard on radio station Original106 this week are to be believed, President Trump has asked Richard Branson to pull some strings so that a service from Aberdeen Airport will service his golf course at Balmedie. Branson is never shy of making headlines and could maybe pilot the first of such a service if it happens?
Any hints as to when these might become a reality?
Is it April 1st already ?