California-based aviation company Joby is set to revolutionise short-distance passenger transport in the UK with its electric air taxis. These zero-emission aircraft stand out for their eco-friendly design and speed advantage. With a pilot and four-passenger capacity, the aircraft can reach speeds of 200 mph (approximately 320 km/h). Thanks to six tilting propellers, they are also capable of vertical take-off and landing. The company highlights that its aircraft produce significantly less noise compared to helicopters.
Joby’s air taxis, in partnership with Virgin Atlantic, will initially operate from Heathrow and Manchester airports, covering regional and urban routes across the UK. Planned routes include a 15-minute flight from Manchester Airport to Leeds and an eight-minute journey from Heathrow to Canary Wharf. These trips currently take one hour and 80 minutes by road, respectively.
While an official launch date has yet to be announced, officials suggest that the service is not far off. Pricing during the launch period is expected to be comparable to existing premium road-based ride-sharing options.
Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss commented on the project:
“As a company that leads in sustainability and has innovation in its DNA, we are delighted to partner with Joby to offer short-haul, zero-emission flights across the UK. Our strategic partnership combines Joby’s expertise in design, engineering, and technology with Virgin Atlantic’s brand strength and award-winning customer experience.”
Joby’s Founder and CEO, JoeBen Bevirt, also highlighted the significance of their collaboration with Virgin Atlantic:
“Virgin Atlantic’s commitment to customer satisfaction is unparalleled. We are excited to work together to provide faster, greener mobility solutions for airport access and intercity connections across the UK.”
Joby debuted its aircraft in the UK at the 2024 Farnborough International Airshow. In July 2022, the company also submitted an official application for certification with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). To date, Joby has conducted thousands of test flights in New York City, Japan, South Korea, and several other countries.
