Virgin Atlantic has announced a partnership with California-based Joby Aviation to launch an air taxi service in the UK, marking a significant step towards the commercialization of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The partnership will enable customers to book seats on Joby's all-electric aircraft through the Virgin Atlantic website and app, with plans to offer flights as short as 8 minutes from Heathrow Airport to Canary Wharf.

Joby's aircraft, which features six rotors and seats five, including the pilot, is designed to take off vertically like a helicopter and then shift into forward flight using tilt rotors. The vehicle can reach a top speed of 200mph, travel 150 miles on a single battery charge, and is 100 times quieter than a conventional aircraft. The UK service will need to wait until Joby has acquired type certification, which means the aircraft meets all the FAA's design and safety standards, and then launched its US-based service.

The partnership is the latest example of airlines betting on eVTOL technology to revolutionize air travel. Virgin Atlantic isn't the first airline to team up with Joby; the startup scored a $200 million investment from Delta Air Lines in 2022, and last year, Toyota said it would dump $500 million into Joby. However, Virgin Atlantic is not investing in Joby as part of the partnership.

Joby envisions a network of landing locations around the UK, with plans to offer prices comparable to existing premium ground ridesharing options at launch. The company has made significant progress in completing four of the five stages required for commercial passenger service in the US and expects to carry its first passengers late this year or early next. Joby has also recently delivered a second aircraft to the US Air Force as part of a testing partnership.

The air taxi industry faces several hurdles before it becomes a reality, including safety regulations and airport designs. Britain's Civil Aviation Authority has started looking into how airports would need to be reevaluated before air taxi services can be launched. Joby's progress, however, has been boosted by the Federal Aviation Administration's publication of final regulations for eVTOL vehicles, which will chart the path for the "air travel of the future."

Despite the progress, it's unclear whether those rules will go into effect, after the FAA ordered a pause to allow the Trump administration to review them. A long review could stretch Joby's timeline out beyond the 2025 target date it set for a taxi service launch. Nevertheless, the partnership between Joby and Virgin Atlantic marks a significant step towards the commercialization of eVTOL technology and the potential for air taxis to revolutionize urban transportation.

In the context of the broader air taxi industry, Joby is not alone in its efforts. Companies like Archer Aviation, Volocopter, and Beta Technologies have claimed they are on the cusp of launching services that will eventually scale up nationwide. However, others have floundered; German company Lilium recently said that two of its subsidiaries were insolvent and could cease operations. As the industry continues to evolve, it remains to be seen which companies will ultimately succeed in bringing air taxis to the masses.

In conclusion, the partnership between Joby and Virgin Atlantic marks a significant milestone in the development of eVTOL technology and its potential to transform urban transportation. While challenges remain, the progress made by Joby and its partners suggests that air taxis may soon become a reality, offering consumers a new and innovative way to travel.