A 15-minute air taxi flight from Manchester to Leeds could soon become a reality, thanks to a new partnership between California-based aviation company Joby Aviation and Virgin Atlantic.
The two firms have announced plans to bring Joby’s electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to the UK, with the aim of launching a revolutionary, zero-emission air taxi network. The service would offer rapid, short-range flights between cities and major airports, beginning with connections from Virgin Atlantic’s hubs at Manchester Airport and London Heathrow.
Joby’s futuristic aircraft—capable of carrying a pilot and four passengers—can reach speeds of up to 200mph. It uses six tilting propellers for vertical take-off and landing, allowing it to operate in urban areas with minimal infrastructure. The aircraft is designed to be much quieter than traditional helicopters, making it better suited to city environments.
If approved, routes could include a 15-minute flight from Manchester to Leeds, or an 8-minute hop from Heathrow to Canary Wharf—a journey that can take over 80 minutes by road.
Joby Aviation says it has already completed thousands of successful test flights, including public demonstrations in New York, Japan, and South Korea, and is now working with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to validate the aircraft for use in British airspace.
“We’re committed to delivering faster, cleaner transport options for people across the UK,” said JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby. “Partnering with Virgin Atlantic is a natural step as we work towards launching these services, connecting communities and making travel more efficient.”
Virgin Atlantic said its role in the partnership would involve helping Joby engage with UK regulators, develop landing infrastructure at key locations, and market the service to passengers. Customers will eventually be able to book flights directly via the Virgin Atlantic app and website.
“As a leader in sustainability, we’re proud to support the next generation of zero-emission travel,” said Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic. “This partnership will allow us to offer greater connectivity and seamless onward travel to our customers.”
Joby’s pricing model is expected to be comparable with premium ride-hailing services, making it a viable alternative to traditional road transport for both business and leisure travellers.
This UK partnership builds on Joby’s existing relationship with Delta Air Lines, which owns a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic. The firms first announced a commercial agreement in 2022 to offer air taxi services in the US, and the scope has since been extended to include the UK.
Joby showcased its aircraft for the first time in the UK at the 2024 Farnborough International Airshow, and formally submitted its application to the CAA in July 2022.
Virgin Atlantic has confirmed that while the plans are still in early stages, further details—including a potential launch timeline—will be shared as development progresses.
