A 15-minute air taxi service from Manchester to Leeds could soon be more than just a pipe dream.
Joby, a firm based in California that's developing electric air taxis for commercial passenger service, has teamed up with Virgin Atlantic, which will see the companies partner in a bid to launch a revolutionary air taxi service in the US and UK.
The goal is to offer seamless, zero-emission, short-range journeys across the UK, starting with regional and city connections from Virgin Atlantic's hubs at Manchester Airport and Heathrow.
Joby's electric air taxi can transport a pilot and up to four passengers at speeds of up to 200mph. It uses six tilting propellers for vertical take-off and landing, producing only a fraction of the noise of current helicopters. The aircraft is designed for quick, consecutive flights and could be used on routes of up to 100 miles, pending approval. Joby has already completed thousands of test flights, including demonstration flights in New York City, Japan and Korea.
If approved, potential UK routes could include a 15-minute flight from Manchester Airport to Leeds, or an 8-minute journey from Heathrow Airport to Canary Wharf, a trip that currently takes 80 minutes by car, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Joby Aviation has set its sights on revolutionising urban travel in the UK, with plans to establish a network of landing spots that promise 'rapid and convenient travel around cities and communities throughout the UK'. The company asserts that its pricing will be on par with current premium ground ridesharing services.
Virgin Atlantic is throwing its weight behind Joby's UK market debut, aiming to promote the service to its passengers, collaborate with regulators alongside Joby, and foster the development of essential landing infrastructure at major airports.
In a move to integrate air mobility into its customer offerings, Virgin Atlantic has announced that its patrons will have the option to book a seat on Joby's aircraft through the airline's app, website, and other sales channels once the service takes off.
Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: "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.
"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. We look forward to working together to bring Joby's service to the UK and to deliver greater connectivity for our customers."
JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby, added: "Virgin Atlantic's commitment to delighting its customers reflects our experience with Delta and we couldn't imagine a better partner to work with in the UK. Together, we are committed to delivering faster options for mobility across the country, including for Virgin Atlantic and Delta customers as they head to the airport or move between UK towns and cities."
The new alliance builds on an already established relationship with Delta Air Lines, which holds a 49% share in Virgin Atlantic.
Last year saw Joby and Delta Air Lines announce a groundbreaking multi-city commercial partnership within the US and UK, focused on facilitating seamless community-to-airport travel for their clientele. With exclusivity lasting at least five years post-commercial launch in both territories, this accord now extends to embrace Virgin Atlantic within the UK.
Showcasing its innovative aircraft at the 2024 Farnborough International Airshow marked Joby's first public showing in the UK. Additionally, in July 2022, the company made headlines by formally seeking endorsement from the UK Civil Aviation Authority ("CAA") for its cutting-edge aircraft.
When the Manchester Evening News reached out to Virgin Atlantic regarding more specifics, including when we can expect the service to kick off, a spokesperson from Virgin stated that for now, it's just the introductory phase of their budding partnership with details to unfold as plans develop.
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