Virgin Atlantic introduces electric air taxis in UK

Virgin Atlantic has announced an exciting new project: flying taxis. The airline is teaming up with Joby Aviation, a California company that develops electric air taxis. This partnership aims to launch air taxi services in the UK, significantly reducing travel times between cities. The electric air taxi can carry a pilot and up to four passengers. It can travel at speeds of up to 200 mph. For example, a flight from Manchester Airport to Leeds could take just 15 minutes. A trip from Heathrow Airport to Canary Wharf might last only eight minutes, compared to an 80-minute drive by car. Joby plans to create a network of landing spots across the UK. This will provide quick and convenient travel options around cities and towns. The goal is to make prices competitive with existing premium rideshare services. Virgin Atlantic customers will soon be able to book seats on these flying taxis through the airline's app and website. JoeBen Bevirt, the CEO of Joby, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership. He said Virgin Atlantic’s dedication to customer service makes them an ideal partner. Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic, highlighted their commitment to sustainability and innovation through this collaboration. The electric air taxi features six tilting propellers, allowing it to take off and land vertically. It produces much less noise than traditional helicopters. The aircraft is also designed for quick, repeat flights on routes of up to 100 miles. Joby first showcased the flying taxi in the UK at the Farnborough International Airshow in 2024. Additionally, Virgin Atlantic recently introduced a new feature that allows customers to share the location of their AirTag or Find My network accessory. This helps the airline quickly locate and return delayed luggage to passengers.