Electric air taxi specialist Joby Aviation is partnering with Virgin Atlantic to launch an air taxi service in the United Kingdom.
Through the partnership the companies hope to offer zero-emission, short-range journeys across the U.K., starting with regional and city connections from Virgin Atlantic’s hubs at Heathrow Airport and Manchester Airport.
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Virgin Atlantic will promote the service to its customers as well as engage with regulators alongside Joby and build support for the development of landing infrastructure at key airports.
Delta Air Lines, which owns a 49% in Virgin Atlantic, invested $60 million in Joby in 2022 and announced its own partnership with Joby for a home to airport service beginning in New York and Los Angeles. The airline shared more about what the partnership could mean in the future during CEO Ed Bastian's fanfare-filled address at CES in January.
Virgin Atlantic customers will be able to reserve a seat on Joby’s aircraft through the airline's mobile app, website and other channels.
"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,” said Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic.
Journey's on Joby's aircraft, which can carry a pilot and four passenger, could include a 15-minute flight from Manchester Airport to Leeds, or an eight-minute journey from Heathrow Airport to Canary Wharf.
Joby hopes to build out a network of landing locations for convenient travel around U.K. cities and pricing that is comparable to existing premium ground ridesharing options.
Joby also seems to have avoided the financial difficulties other electric vertical take-off and landing companies have encountered recently. Last year, the California-based company announced $500 million in funding from car manufacturer Toyota. Joby has also secured a deal with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority to launch an electric air taxi service by 2026.