Electric air taxis are set to take to the skies over the UK after Virgin Atlantic signed a binding commercial agreement with Joby Aviation to launch community-to-airport services nationwide.
The deal, announced as a multi-year framework, makes Virgin Atlantic Joby’s exclusive airline partner for air taxi operations in the UK. The partnership builds on Joby’s existing collaboration with Delta Air Lines, which holds a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic, bringing together three brands focused on faster, more convenient travel.
“Virgin Atlantic and Joby Aviation sign binding deal to bring electric air taxis to UK, aiming for faster community-to-airport travel.”
Under the agreement, Joby’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft will shuttle passengers from local communities to major airports, cutting journey times and bypassing road traffic. The service is designed to complement the existing transatlantic partnership between Delta and Virgin Atlantic, offering seamless connections from doorstep to departure gate.
The UK partnership is mutually exclusive with Joby’s US operations, where it already works with Delta. The new framework converts a preliminary agreement announced in 2025 into a binding commitment, paving the way for operational launch.
While no specific start date or UK airports have been confirmed, the deal signals a major step toward integrating electric air taxis into Britain’s transport network. For travellers, it promises a glimpse of a future where the commute to the airport is as quick as the flight itself.