Joby Aviation and Virgin Atlantic have announced the signing of a definitive agreement at the Farnborough International Airshow, formalising a partnership first announced by the two companies in 2025.
The agreement, which aims to see Joby’s air taxi service brought to the UK, converts the previously announced partnership into a binding, multi-year commercial framework, establishing Virgin Atlantic as Joby’s exclusive airline partner for air taxi services in the UK.
The collaboration will also build on Joby’s existing partnership with Delta Air Lines, which currently holds a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic, bringing the three brands together in order to focus on the introduction of air taxi services across the UK.
In 2022, Joby and Delta announced a multi-city partnership to pioneer community-to-airport transportation, which is mutually exclusive across the US and UK. Currently, Delta and Virgin Atlantic operate as partners across a shared transatlantic network, and Joby’s UK partnership with Virgin Atlantic complements and expands its partnership with Delta.
JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, said: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.
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.
Under the newly-solidified agreement; Virgin Atlantic will offer Joby’s air taxi service through its own booking platforms, allowing trallvers to book air taxis alongside their long-haul flights.
Initial services are planned to launch from Virgin Atlantic’s hubs in London and Manchester, with Manchester anchoring Joby’s connections across the North of England. Early routes are expected to include Manchester Airport to Leeds in approximately 15 minutes and Heathrow to Central London in 8 minutes.
Joby will retain responsibility for aircraft operations, route management, and securing UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulatory approvals, whilst Virgin Atlantic will support infrastructure integration and customer acquisition at both hubs.
