FARNBOROUGH, UK, July 30, 2026 – Joby Aviation signed an agreement with Virgin Atlantic at the Farnborough International Airshow, locking in the airline as Joby’s UK partner for its electric air taxi service. Joby’s six tilting-propeller aircraft will launch from Virgin Atlantic hubs in London and Manchester. Early routes target Manchester Airport to Leeds in about 15 minutes and Heathrow to Central London in 8 minutes.
Joby retains control of aircraft operations, route management, and approvals from the UK Civil Aviation Authority. Certification is progressing under the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement between the FAA and the UK CAA. Joby reports that its aircraft produces a fraction of the noise of a conventional helicopter and has logged thousands of test flights, including point-to-point demonstrations between JFK Airport and Manhattan and flights in San Francisco.
“This agreement marks an exciting next chapter in our partnership with Joby and a significant step towards bringing electric air taxi services to the UK,” 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 UK, and this agreement reflects the next step in that relationship,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation. “The UK 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.”
Travelers will book the air taxi through Virgin Atlantic’s mobile app and website. Virgin Atlantic will support infrastructure integration and customer acquisition at both hubs, and Joby expects to expand the UK network, with Manchester anchoring connections across the North of England.
The agreement extends Joby’s relationship with Delta Air Lines, which holds a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic. Joby and Delta announced a multi-city US partnership for community-to-airport transportation in 2022. The UK arrangement sits alongside that deal.
Source: Joby Aviation
About Joby Aviation
Joby Aviation develops electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for urban air mobility. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Santa Cruz, CA, the company is building a piloted, five-seat aircraft intended for short-range passenger transport with an estimated range of about 100 miles and a top speed of 200 mph. Joby works in the aerospace, defense and air-mobility sectors, with operations that include aircraft development, parts manufacturing and fleet services in CA and OH. The company plans to operate its air-taxi service and also sell aircrafts. Joby is pursuing FAA certification to support a planned commercial launch targeted for 2026.
About Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic is a British airline founded by Richard Branson in 1984 and headquartered in London. The company employs about 9,500 people worldwide and serves 28 destinations during the year. It operates long-haul passenger and cargo flights between the United Kingdom, North America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Virgin Atlantic carries business and leisure travelers in economy, premium and Upper Class cabins. Its cargo business transports pharmaceuticals, perishables, electronics and other commercial freight. The airline operates Airbus A330neo and A350 aircraft and Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Virgin Atlantic works with Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM through a transatlantic joint venture. It joined the SkyTeam airline alliance in 2023. The company plans to operate only newer-generation aircraft by 2028 and has set a net-zero emissions goal for 2050.