Delta Air Lines has signed a multi-year, multi-market commercial and operational partnership with Joby Aviation to deliver a sustainable means of home-to-airport transport for Delta passengers. The service will be initially available for passengers traveling on Delta Air Lines from New York and Los Angeles leading to simplified transit and time-saving, says the airline. The partnership is mutually exclusive across the US and UK for five years following the commercial launch.
Ed Bastian, CEO, Delta Air Lines, said: “Delta always looks forward and embraces opportunities to lead the future, and we’ve found in Joby a partner that shares our pioneering spirit and commitment to delivering innovative, seamless experiences that are better for our customers, their journeys, and our world. This is a groundbreaking opportunity for Delta to deliver a time-saving, uniquely premium home-to-airport solution for customers in key markets in which we’ve been investing and innovating for many years.”
Delta has made an upfront equity investment of $60 million in Joby, with the opportunity to expand the total investment up to $200 million as the partners achieve substantive milestones.
JoeBen Bevirt, Founder, Joby, said: “We share Delta’s unwavering commitment to delivering seamless and sustainable journeys to customers. Their history of innovation, along with their vast operational expertise and leadership on climate change, make them incredible partners for Joby, and it’s an honor to be working alongside them.”
According to Joby, the aircraft is designed to fly fast, quiet and sustainable trips in and around cities. The aircraft has flown more than 1,000 test flights, demonstrating its range, speed, altitude and low noise profile.