HFW advises Joby Aviation Inc on Virgin Atlantic deal to bring electric air taxi service to the UK

Global law firm HFW has advised electric air taxi developer Joby Aviation Inc (Joby) on its partnership with Virgin Atlantic to launch electric air taxi services in the UK.

The multi-year arrangement, which was first announced in 2025, establishes Virgin Atlantic as Joby’s exclusive airline partner for air taxi services in the UK.

Under the arrangements, Virgin Atlantic will integrate Joby’s air taxi services into its booking platforms, enabling customers to book air taxi journeys alongside long-haul flights. Initial services are expected to connect key transport hubs including London Heathrow and Manchester Airport, with plans to expand the network across the UK over time.

The partnership marks an important milestone in the development of advanced air mobility in the UK and supports wider efforts to deliver faster, more sustainable and more efficient transportation solutions.

Joby is a California-based transportation company developing an all-electric, vertical take-off and landing air taxi which it intends to operate in cities around the world.

The HFW team advising on the deal included Partner Alex Kyriakoulis, Legal Director Catherine Emsellem-Rope and Associate Sophie Dent, with additional support from Partner Charles Cockrell and Senior Associate Rhyley Griffith.

Alex Kyriakoulis, Partner, HFW:

“We’re pleased to have advised Joby on this agreement – it’s a significant step forward for the advanced air mobility sector in the UK and highlights the commercial growth of the eVTOL market generally.”