Joby Aviation & Virgin Atlantic Launch Electric Air Taxis in the UK

Joby Aviation Expands into the U.K. with Virgin Atlantic Partnership

Joby Aviation is collaborating with Virgin Atlantic to introduce electric air taxi services within the United Kingdom. This represents the seventh nation where the company intends to eventually establish commercial operations.

Partnership Details and Timeline

Joby, which became a publicly traded company in 2021 through a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) merger, has not yet specified a precise launch date for its U.K. venture with Virgin. A company representative communicated to TechCrunch that the rollout will occur following launches in both the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

The company anticipates initiating market trials in Dubai during late 2024 or early 2025, subsequent to the delivery of its inaugural eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft to the country.

U.S. Launch and FAA Certification

Originally, Joby had planned to commence a commercial service in the U.S., specifically in either New York or Los Angeles, by 2025. However, this timeline may be adjusted as the company navigates the process of obtaining necessary certifications from the Federal Aviation Administration.

In October 2024, Joby indicated it was nearing completion of the type certification process – signifying approval of the vehicle’s design. An updated timeline for this certification was not immediately available.

U.K. Regulatory Approvals

Prior to launching services in the U.K., Joby must secure its own certifications. The company submitted an application to the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority in July 2022, requesting validation for its aircraft’s use within the country.

Exclusive Airline Partnerships

Joby’s collaboration with Virgin follows reports from nearly seven months prior, initially revealed through sources.

Under the terms of the agreement, Joby will serve as Virgin’s exclusive airline distribution partner in the U.K. The California-based firm also holds a mutually exclusive arrangement with Delta Air Lines in both the U.S. and U.K., with the Virgin partnership operating under the scope of this existing agreement due to Delta’s substantial ownership stake in Virgin.

Vertiport Network and Customer Access

Joby’s partnership with Delta aims to provide customers with a premium service, transporting them directly from local vertiports to airports. (Vertiports are designated infrastructures for eVTOL takeoff, landing, and recharging.)

The Virgin partnership intends to establish a comparable network of landing sites throughout the U.K., initially focusing on connections for passengers from Virgin’s hubs at London Heathrow and Manchester airports.

Virgin customers will eventually be able to book seats on Joby’s aircraft through the Virgin Atlantic app and website.

Industry Trend: Airline Collaborations

Establishing partnerships with airlines is a key strategy for eVTOL companies aiming to enter the market. Joby’s primary competitor, Archer Aviation, has forged similar agreements with United Airlines and Southwest Airlines.

Investment and Support

Many of these collaborations have included financial investment from the airlines. Delta, for instance, has already invested $60 million in Joby, with the potential for an additional $200 million contingent upon Joby fulfilling its commitments. However, the agreement with Virgin does not currently involve an investment, according to a Joby spokesperson.

Virgin has stated its commitment to supporting Joby’s market entry in the U.K. through customer marketing, regulatory engagement, and assistance in developing landing infrastructure at key airports.

eVTOL Specifications and Global Ambitions

Joby’s eVTOL is engineered to accommodate a pilot, four passengers, and luggage. It is projected to achieve speeds of up to 200 miles per hour, potentially reducing travel time between cities like Leeds and Manchester to just 15 minutes.

While widespread deployment remains some time away, Joby has articulated its plans to launch air taxi services in the U.S., the U.K., the UAE, South Korea, Japan, India, and Australia.