Virgin Atlantic Airways is backing Joby Aviation’s plans to launch eVTOL air taxi services in the UK. The companies announced a partnership on March 16, saying they will establish flight networks in the north and south of the UK, based, respectively, out of hubs at Manchester Airport and London Heathrow Airport.

Joby will operate its four-passenger eVTOL vehicles and will be fully responsible for recruiting and training pilots. UK-based long-haul carrier Virgin Atlantic will market the air taxi flights to its customers, as well as support Joby in working with regulators and building support for the development of landing infrastructure.

In July 2022, California-based Joby filed an application for type certification with the UK Civil Aviation Authority, expected to concurrently validate FAA certification for the aircraft, which will likely have a range of around 87 nm.

The Manchester Airport-based air taxi network will span Manchester’s city center, as well as locations in Liverpool, Stoke-on-Trent, Sheffield, Leeds, Derby, Nottingham, York, and Hull. From the Heathrow hub, Joby will operate flights to the center of London, as well as Gatwick Airport, Stansted Airport, Reading, Birmingham, Salisbury, Portsmouth, Brighton, Cambridge, Norwich, and Canterbury.

According to Joby, flight times from Manchester Airport to Leeds could be around 15 minutes, and from Heathrow to London’s Canary Wharf business district, just eight minutes. Both journeys currently involve drives on congested roads or sometimes unreliable rail connections.

Virgin Follows Delta to Joby

The agreement with Virgin Atlantic builds on an existing partnership with Delta Air Lines, which has a 49% stake in the UK airline. Delta is working with Joby to launch air taxi services in the New York City area, with connections from Manhattan to John F. Kennedy and La Guardia airports.

“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,” said Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss. “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.”

In November 2024, Virgin Atlantic terminated a similar partnership with UK-based eVTOL aircraft developer Vertical Aerospace. “Joby is the market leader and their existing relationship with our shareholder and joint venture partner, Delta, allows us to explore end-to-end journeys in the UK and the U.S.,” a spokeswoman for Virgin Atlantic commented.

Vertical Aerospace is aiming to have its VX4 aircraft ready to enter commercial service from the end of 2028, while Joby has been targeting type certification in 2025. Virgin Atlantic’s decision to end its work with Vertical came at a time when the Bristol-based start-up was seeking to line up fresh funding for the program, which was subsequently approved by shareholders in January.

“Vertical Aerospace is the only credible OEM developing an eVTOL to the certification standards set by the UK CAA and EASA, and we have one of the strongest and most diversified order books in the sector,” a spokesman for the company told AIN. “ We are focused on delivering the most versatile aircraft, capable of [carrying] six passengers with 30 kilograms [66 pounds] luggage per passenger, to the highest standards globally to our customers and, as we reported last week, we are generating excellent momentum in advancing our well-defined Flightpath strategy.”