Virgin Atlantic will offer passengers the option to take a flying taxi from Heathrow to central London in just eight minutes, as part of a new partnership with American start-up Joby Aviation. The airline plans to open air taxi hubs in London and Manchester under a multi-year agreement announced at the Farnborough International Airshow.
Cost and Speed
Joby Aviation says the trip from Heathrow to central London would cost about £120. By comparison, a black cab takes around 50 minutes and costs between £70 and £120, while an Uber costs at least £54. In Manchester, the air taxis could zip from Manchester Airport to Leeds, about 40 miles away, in roughly 15 minutes at speeds of 200mph.
Launch Timeline
Virgin Atlantic did not specify when the service will launch, but the Civil Aviation Authority aims to certify passenger air taxis from 2028. Travellers will eventually be able to book a flying cab via the Virgin Atlantic mobile app or website.
Executive Comments
Virgin Atlantic CEO Corneel Koster said at the Farnborough International Airshow that the service will be part of a 'premium customer experience'. '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,' Koster added. Joby founder JoeBen Bevirt said: '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.'
What Are Air Taxis?
Air taxis are electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft (eVTOLs). Most models have six propellers for vertical takeoff, then tilt to fly like a plane. Designers tout them as quieter and cleaner than helicopters, though concerns remain over noise, cost, range (most can only go about 100 miles), and the need for new infrastructure and certification.
