Virgin Atlantic has announced a groundbreaking partnership with California-based aerospace company Joby Aviation to bring electric air taxi services to the United Kingdom. The collaboration represents a major step forward in the development of urban air mobility, aiming to provide fast, sustainable, and efficient transport between airports and city centers.
The proposed service will utilize Joby’s all-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Designed for short-distance travel, the aircraft can carry a pilot and up to four passengers at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. With a maximum range of around 100 miles on a single charge, the vehicle offers a practical and environmentally friendly alternative to ground-based transport for congested urban areas.
One of the key benefits highlighted by the companies is the drastic reduction in travel time. For example, a trip from Heathrow Airport to Canary Wharf—usually over an hour by car in heavy traffic—could take as little as eight minutes by air taxi. Virgin Atlantic intends to integrate booking functionality directly into its mobile app and website, allowing customers to reserve air taxi seats alongside traditional flight reservations for a seamless travel experience.
The aircraft features six tilting propellers that allow for vertical take-off and landing while maintaining quiet operation, especially compared to conventional helicopters. This low-noise profile is expected to make the service more acceptable in densely populated areas, an important factor for urban deployment.
While the initiative is still in its early stages, Joby and Virgin Atlantic are working closely with UK regulators to secure the necessary certifications and build out the infrastructure required for launch. According to the UK government’s "Future of Flight Action Plan," commercial eVTOL services could begin as early as 2026, aligning with the partners’ proposed timeline.
This move places Virgin Atlantic among the leaders in sustainable aviation innovation. The zero-emission aircraft aligns with broader efforts across the aviation industry to cut carbon emissions and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The air taxi service is also expected to support Virgin’s long-term goals of creating a more integrated and eco-conscious transportation network.
As the project develops, more details will emerge about launch routes, pricing, and the locations of dedicated “vertiports” — urban landing hubs where the aircraft can pick up and drop off passengers. If successful, the partnership could redefine how travelers move through and between cities, bringing the concept of flying taxis from fiction into everyday reality.