200mph Air Taxi Could Connect Manchester to Leeds in 15 Minutes

Manchester Airport may soon become a launch hub for an innovative air taxi service, offering zero-emission, short-haul flights between cities across the UK — with journey times like 15 minutes from Manchester to Leeds.

The service is being developed through a new partnership between Joby Aviation, a California-based electric air taxi manufacturer, and Virgin Atlantic. The collaboration aims to introduce fast, sustainable travel via air taxis operating from Virgin’s UK hubs, including Manchester Airport and Heathrow.

Joby's aircraft are designed for urban air mobility, featuring vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities powered by six tilting electric propellers. Each aircraft can carry a pilot and up to four passengers, reaching speeds of up to 200mph. The company claims the aircraft generates a fraction of the noise produced by traditional helicopters.

If approved, the aircraft could operate on routes up to 100 miles, with potential services such as:

• Manchester to Leeds in 15 minutes

• Heathrow to Canary Wharf in 8 minutes, cutting travel time from 80 minutes by car

Thousands of test flights have already been completed, including public demonstrations in New York, Japan, and Korea.

Virgin Atlantic will support Joby’s UK rollout by:

• Promoting the service to its customer base

• Collaborating with regulators

• Assisting in the development of landing infrastructure at key airports

The service would be integrated with Virgin Atlantic’s booking channels, allowing customers to reserve air taxi seats via the airline’s website and app once the service is live.

“We’re excited to bring short-haul, zero-emission flights to cities and airports throughout the UK,” said Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic. “Combining Joby’s cutting-edge technology with our customer experience will enhance connectivity and sustainability.”

Joby CEO JoeBen Bevirt added:

“Virgin Atlantic’s reputation for service and innovation makes them the ideal UK partner. Together, we’ll provide faster, more convenient mobility options for both local travelers and airline passengers.”

The partnership builds on Joby’s existing relationship with Delta Air Lines, which owns a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic. Joby and Delta launched a similar initiative in the U.S. in 2022 to improve passenger mobility between cities and airports.

Joby showcased its aircraft at the 2024 Farnborough International Airshow, and has applied for regulatory approval with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

While there is no official launch date yet, both companies say more details will follow as planning progresses.