Joby Aviation is preparing to launch an air cab service in the UK. It will be used to get from airports to nearby cities.

In partnership with long-haul carrier Virgin Atlantic, the company plans to use its 6-rotor electric air cabs capable of reaching speeds of up to 322 km/h. The vehicle will be able to fly between Manchester Airport and Leeds in 15 minutes. The journey by car, on the other hand, takes about an hour. A trip from Heathrow Airport to London's Canary Wharf will take only 8 minutes instead of 80.

Joby Aviation claims the new air cab can accommodate up to 5 people, including the pilot, and a single charge will allow it to fly up to 160 kilometers. Its noise level is significantly lower than traditional helicopters.

While the company has not yet disclosed the exact timeline for the launch of flights in the UK, it said it plans to set prices comparable to existing premium ground services. However, to successfully launch the service, the company will need to build a network of landing sites in major cities