HANGAR TALK UAS & eVTOL NEWS RELATING TO UNCrewed, AAM & eVTOL SYSTEMS
Joby and Virgin Atlantic Finalize Deal to Bring Electric Air Taxi Service to the U.K.
Joby Aviation Inc. and Virgin Atlantic signed a definitive agreement at the Farnborough International Airshow, formalizing the partnership the companies first announced in 2025 to bring Joby’s air taxi service to the U.K.
The agreement converts the partnership, announced in 2025, into a binding, multi-year commercial framework, establishing Virgin Atlantic as Joby’s exclusive airline partner for air taxi services in the U.K. The collaboration builds on Joby’s existing partnership with Delta Air Lines, which holds a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic, bringing together three brands focused on faster, more convenient travel across the U.K.
In 2022, Joby and Delta announced a multi-city partnership to pioneer community-to-airport transportation, which is mutually exclusive across the U.S. and U.K. Delta and Virgin Atlantic operate as partners across a shared transatlantic network, and Joby’s U.K. partnership with Virgin Atlantic complements and expands its partnership with Delta.
“This agreement marks an exciting next chapter in our partnership with Joby and a significant step towards bringing electric air taxi services to the U.K.,” said Corneel Koster, CEO of Virgin Atlantic. “Together, we’ll create more seamless journeys for our customers, making it easier than ever to travel between towns, cities and our airports. Innovation has always been part of Virgin Atlantic’s DNA, and we’re proud to partner with Joby to help shape the future of travel while delivering the premium customer experience we’re known for.”
“Virgin Atlantic’s dedication to a world-class customer experience makes them the right partner to represent Joby in the U.K. and this agreement reflects the next step in that relationship,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation. ”The U.K. is one of the most exciting markets for this technology, and this partnership could drive significant opportunities for Joby as we bring air taxi service to some of the country’s busiest cities.”
42 July/Aug 2026
Under the agreement, Virgin Atlantic will offer Joby’s air taxi service through its booking platforms, including mobile app and website. This will allow travelers in the U.K. to book a seamless air taxi connection alongside their long-haul flights.
Joby plans to launch service at Virgin Atlantic’s hubs in London and Manchester, with Manchester anchoring Joby’s connections across the North of England. Early routes are expected to include Manchester Airport to Leeds in approximately 15 minutes and Heathrow to Central London in as little as eight minutes, trips that take over an hour by car today.
Joby will retain sole responsibility for aircraft operations, route management, and securing U.K. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulatory approvals, while Virgin Atlantic will support infrastructure integration and customer acquisition at both hubs. Over time, Joby expects to expand this network to a wide range of cities and communities across the U.K.
Earlier in July, members of the public had the chance to experience Joby’s aircraft firsthand when a full-scale model was displayed at Potters Fields Park in London, directly across from Tower Bridge. Visitors were able to sit inside the aircraft and imagine a future flight that could take just minutes to Heathrow from that location.
Joby’s aircraft uses six tilting propellers, allowing it to take off and land vertically with a fraction of the noise produced by today’s helicopters. It is optimized for rapid, back-to-back flights and is expected to be deployed on routes of up to 100 miles. Joby has completed thousands of test flights, including recent demonstrations in San Francisco and New York City, where the company flew point-to-point between JFK Airport and Manhattan. Joby’s aircraft certification is progressing under the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement between the FAA and U.K. CAA, building on the Company’s 2022 validation application.
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