Joby and Virgin Atlantic Finalize Deal to Bring Electric Air Taxi Service to the UK

Joby Aviation, Inc., a company developing electric air taxis for commercial passenger service, and Virgin Atlantic, a premium long-haul UK airline, signed a definitive agreement at the Farnborough International Airshow, formalizing the partnership the companies first announced in 2025 to bring Joby's air taxi service to the UK.

The Partnership
- Virgin Atlantic has signed a multi-year, binding agreement with Joby Aviation to bring electric air taxi services to the UK.
- Virgin Atlantic becomes Joby’s exclusive airline partner for air taxi services in the UK.
- This builds on Joby’s existing partnership with Delta Air Lines (which owns 49% of Virgin Atlantic).

Launch Locations & Routes
- Initial hubs: London Heathrow and Manchester Airport.
- Early routes:
- Heathrow → Central London in ~8 minutes (vs. over an hour by car).
- Manchester → Leeds in ~15 minutes.
- Expansion planned across more UK cities over time.

Customer Integration
- Virgin Atlantic will integrate Joby’s air taxi service into its booking platforms (website, app).
- Travelers can book air taxi connections alongside their long-haul flights.
- Virgin will leverage its customer base and airport relationships to support rollout.

Technology & Certification
- Joby’s aircraft: all-electric, vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL), with six tilting propellers.
- Designed for short routes up to 100 miles, rapid turnaround, and much quieter than helicopters.
- Thousands of test flights already completed, including demos in San Francisco and New York.
- Certification progressing under the FAA–UK CAA Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement.

Public Engagement
- A full-scale Joby aircraft model was displayed in London earlier this month, letting visitors sit inside and imagine future journeys.

Strategic Impact
- Virgin Atlantic CEO Corneel Koster: “This agreement marks an exciting next chapter… making it easier than ever to travel between towns, cities and our airports.”
- Joby CEO JoeBen Bevirt: “The UK is one of the most exciting markets for this technology.”

This deal positions Virgin Atlantic and Joby at the forefront of urban air mobility in the UK, promising faster, greener, and more seamless travel experiences.