Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic plans to launch flying taxi services for business customers before the end of the decade.

Virgin Atlantic announced a partnership with California-based Joby Aviation to launch an air taxi service in the UK, becoming the latest airline to bet on a new class of electric aircraft vying to become taxis in the sky.

Virgin Atlantic has abandoned its relationship with Vertical Aerospace in favour of a deal with US air taxi developer Joby Aviation.

That’s because the airline has just announced a new partnership with Job Aviation to launch a ‘revolutionary’ air taxi service across the UK. Joby is a California-based company that develops electric air taxis for commercial passenger service.

British airline Virgin Atlantic and commuter aviation startup Joby Aviation have partnered to offer seamless booking and quicker travel to and from airports in the UK using air taxis. The country's government is yet to approve air taxis.