Virgin Atlantic and Joby Aviation advance UK air taxi partnership

Virgin Atlantic and Joby Aviation have formalised their UK partnership, paving the way for passengers to book electric air taxi connections alongside flights and creating a more seamless end-to-end travel experience.

Summary:

Virgin Atlantic and Joby Aviation have signed a binding commercial agreement, making Virgin Atlantic Joby’s exclusive airline partner for electric air taxi services in the UK.
Passengers will be able to book Joby’s air taxi services alongside Virgin Atlantic flights through the airline’s website and mobile app, creating a more seamless end-to-end travel experience.
The partnership will initially focus on connections from London Heathrow and Manchester Airport, supporting faster airport access and the future growth of Advanced Air Mobility in the UK.

Virgin Atlantic and Joby Aviation have signed a definitive agreement, formalising the partnership they first announced in 2025 to bring Joby’s air taxi service to the UK. The agreement converts the 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 builds on Joby’s existing partnership with Delta Air Lines, which holds a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic, bringing together three brands focused on faster, more convenient travel 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 U.S. and UK. 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.

“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, 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.”

Under the agreement, Virgin Atlantic will offer Joby’s air taxi service through its booking platforms, including mobile app and website. This will allow travellers in the UK to book a seamless air taxi connection alongside their long-haul flights. Joby plans to launch service at 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 as little as eight minutes, journeys that take over an hour by car today.

Joby will retain sole responsibility for aircraft operations, route management, and securing UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulatory approvals, while Virgin Atlantic will support infrastructure integration and customer acquisition at both hubs. Over time, Joby expects to expand this network to a wide range of cities and communities across the UK.

“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, 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.”

Virgin Voyages to deliver keynote at FTE Global on reimagining the guest journey

One of the hallmarks of FTE Global – taking place in Dallas, Texas, on 8 to 10 September 2026 – is bringing fresh thinking from beyond aviation, showcasing how innovators from other industries are redefining customer experience, service design and innovation. This year, we’re delighted to welcome Nicole Huang, SVP Fleet Experience at Virgin Voyages. Nicole’s career spans senior leadership roles in both aviation and hospitality, including more than a decade with JetBlue Airways before joining Virgin Voyages in 2018. Drawing on her experience of building organisations, launching new experiences and leading complex transformations, Nicole will share how she built the onboard experience at Virgin Voyages from the ground up, creating a brand that challenges traditional service models and delivers unforgettable guest experiences. Her keynote will provide unique inspiration for airlines, airports and their partners as they rethink the future of the end-to-end customer journey.

See the FTE Global schedule at a glance >> Register for FTE Global >>