AssetID: 54606950
Headline: RAW VIDEO: Virgin Atlantic To Bring Air Taxis To UK That Could Transport You Between Cities In Minutes
Caption: The U.K. is to get its first working air taxis thanks to a partnership between Virgin Atlantic and U.S. firm Joby Aviation. The new service aims to offer passengers a fast, zero-emission alternative for short-range travel - one that could take passengers from Heathrow to central London, or from Manchester to Leeds in a matter of minutes. The collaboration is set to introduce air taxi services from key UK hubs, including Heathrow and Manchester Airport. If approved, the service aims to provide seamless, eco-friendly transport between airports and city centres. Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic, said: “As a leader in sustainability and with innovation firmly in our DNA, we are delighted to be partnering with Joby to bring short-haul, zero-emission flight to airports and cities throughout the UK.” Joby’s electric air taxi is capable of carrying a pilot and up to four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph. The aircraft features six tilting propellers, allowing vertical take-off and landing while producing far less noise than traditional helicopters. Designed for rapid, back-to-back flights, the taxis will initially serve routes of up to 100 miles. Although a launch date has not been announced, when the service goes live it will be integrated into Virgin Atlantic’s booking platforms, allowing customers to reserve seats via the airline’s website and app. Virgin will also play a key role in promoting the service, engaging with regulators, and supporting the development of vital landing infrastructure. JoeBen Bevirt, CEO of Joby Aviation, added: “Virgin Atlantic’s commitment to delighting its customers reflects our experience with Delta and we couldn’t imagine a better partner to work with in the UK.” Potential journeys include a 15-minute flight from Manchester Airport to Leeds, or an 8-minute trip from Heathrow to Canary Wharf—significantly reducing travel times compared to road transport. Joby anticipates pricing to be competitive with premium ground ridesharing services. In 2022, Joby and Delta Air Lines announced a multi-city partnership to develop community-to-airport transport solutions. While their agreement is exclusive in the US and UK for at least five years post-launch, the partnership has now been expanded to include Virgin Atlantic in the UK. Joby showcased its aircraft in the UK for the first time at the 2024 Farnborough International Airshow and has formally applied for certification from the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The firm has completed thousands of test flights, including exhibition flights in New York City, Japan and Korea.
Keywords: feature,video,photo,virgin atlantic,air taxis,technology
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