Virgin Atlantic and Joby Aviation have announced a new partnership that will bring electric air taxis to the UK, potentially revolutionising short-haul travel with zero-emission flights. Olivia Palamountain reports

A new partnership between Virgin Atlantic and Joby Aviation will see the companies collaborate to launch Joby's air taxi service in the UK, initially focusing on regional and city connections from Virgin Atlantic's hubs at Heathrow and Manchester Airport.

California-based Joby is developing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed to carry a pilot and up to four passengers at speeds reaching 200 mph. Under the partnership, Virgin Atlantic customers will be able to book seats on these aircraft through the airline's app, website and other channels.

The partnership builds on an existing agreement between Joby and Delta Air Lines, which owns a 49 percent stake in Virgin Atlantic, to launch services in the US and UK. Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic, says: "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, adds: "Virgin Atlantic's commitment to delighting its customers is unparalleled 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."

The electric air taxi features six tilting propellers that allow vertical take-off and landing with significantly less noise than conventional helicopters. It is optimised for rapid, back-to-back flights and could operate on routes up to 100 miles.Potential UK journeys include a 15-minute flight from Manchester Airport to Leeds, or an 8-minute journey from Heathrow Airport to Canary Wharf, compared to approximately 80 minutes by car. The companies expect to eventually establish a network of landing locations throughout the UK, with prices at launch anticipated to be comparable to premium ground ridesharing options.

Virgin Atlantic will support Joby's entrance into the UK market by marketing the service to their customers, engaging with regulators, and helping to build support for the development of landing infrastructure at key airports.

In July 2022, Joby applied to have its aircraft validated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority and exhibited its aircraft in the UK for the first time at the 2024 Farnborough International Airshow.

The partnership is part of Virgin Atlantic's continued commitment to sustainability. The airline has pioneered sustainability leadership for more than 15 years, committing to Net Zero by 2050, and in November 2023 led a consortium to deliver the world's first transatlantic flight using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel.