Virgin Atlantic and Joby Team Up for 11-Minute, 40km Air Taxi Service in the UK

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British airline Virgin Atlantic has teamed up with U.S.-based commuter aviation startup Joby Aviation to introduce air taxis for faster airport transfers in the UK. The service aims to connect London Heathrow Airport with Canary Wharf in just 11 minutes, significantly reducing travel time compared to traditional road transport. However, the UK government has yet to approve air taxis for commercial use.

“We are going to launch it together in the UK as soon as we practically can,” Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss said in an interview, as reported by Bloomberg. Weiss described the service as a game-changer for business travel, referencing Canary Wharf’s key role as a financial hub and its connection to major destinations like New York.

Air Taxi Service to Offer Competitive Pricing

Joby Aviation, one of the leading developers of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, envisions pricing that is “comparable with existing premium ground ridesharing options.” The company is preparing for its first commercial operations in Dubai, expected to launch later this year or in early 2026.

For the UK launch, Joby is working on securing approvals from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) alongside its pending certification with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). One of the key challenges remains the development of take-off and landing sites, known as vertiports. Joby plans to own and operate some of these sites but is also seeking partnerships with municipalities and private investors to expand infrastructure.

“That may be the longest-lead item in getting this service launched, just like it is today in Dubai,” said Joby CEO JoeBen Bevirt.

Strategic Partnerships and Industry Expansion

The financial terms of Virgin Atlantic’s partnership with Joby were not disclosed. However, Delta Air Lines, which holds stakes in both Virgin Atlantic and Joby, has a similar agreement with the air taxi company in the U.S.

Virgin Atlantic had previously announced a partnership in 2021 with another eVTOL startup, Vertical Aerospace Ltd., but that collaboration ended last year, Weiss confirmed.

As the eVTOL industry gains momentum, Virgin Atlantic and Joby Aviation’s collaboration could pave the way for a revolution in urban air mobility, offering a faster, more efficient alternative for airport commutes.

Sources By Agencies