Virgin Atlantic and Joby Aviation, a maker of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, have signed an agreement to create an eVTOL service that the two said will pave the way towards launching an air taxi service across the UK.

An air taxi is an off-highway transportation service that bypasses the traffic and delays of major airports when going between Point A and Point B.

The partnership builds on an existing agreement between Joby and Delta Air Lines, which owns a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic, to launch services in the US and UK. The two partners have not provided a start date.

The Joby Aviation S4 has room for one pilot and four passengers, along with ample space for luggage. The service will allow for short-range, fully electric off-highway journeys between cities and towns.

Joby’s CEO, JoeBen Bevirt, stated: “We are committed to delivering faster options for mobility across the country, including for Virgin Atlantic and Delta customers as they head to the airport or move between UK towns and cities.”

Once up and running, the air taxi service would connect passengers arriving at London Heathrow and Manchester airports with less in-demand destinations. Journeys in the UK would include a 15-minute flight from Manchester to Leeds, or an 8-minute journey from Heathrow Airport to Canary Wharf, a journey that, by automobile, takes 80 minutes on a good day.

Source: Virgin Atlantic