Archer Aviation has unveiled plans for a proposed New York City air taxi network in partnership with United Airlines, aiming to transform how New York residents and visitors move around the region.
Archer’s goal is to enable passengers to travel from Manhattan to nearby airports in just five to 15 minutes using Midnight (an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed for urban air mobility), reducing travel times compared to traditional ground transportation and helping avoid the city’s traffic. Midnight is Archer’s piloted electric air taxi designed to carry up to four passengers while producing less noise and emissions than a traditional helicopter. It is built with redundant systems across the aircraft—including 12 total engines and propellers—allowing Archer to target similar levels of safety as commercial airliners. Archer is building Midnight in America at manufacturing facilities in San Jose, CA and Covington, GA.
Archer will look to utilize existing aviation properties around the region, with a goal of establishing "vertiports" associated with airports and helipads in the area. Archer is continuing to work with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to seek Type Certification of its Midnight aircraft. Once the certification is received, Archer and its operating partners plan to integrate Midnight into service, beginning with major airports like those in the New York City area. Archer received its FAA Part 135 Air Carrier and Operator Certificate in June 2024.
Under this concept of operations, passengers would book Archer flights as a complement to traditional airline travel, reducing door-to-door travel times. United previously placed an order for a fleet of Archer’s Midnight aircraft and has remained a long-time investor in the company. Archer is also working closely with existing infrastructure partners, including Atlantic Aviation, Signature Aviation and Skyports/GroupeADP, as well as new partners Modern Aviation and Air Pegasus, to develop and electrify aviation assets in this proposed network.
Archer previously announced air taxi networks in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Adam Goldstein, CEO and founder of Archer noted that the New York metropolitan area is home to three of the world’s busiest airports, serving upwards of 150 million passengers annually. He added, "With its existing helicopter infrastructure, regulatory support and strong demand, I believe New York could be one of the first markets for air taxis in the United States.”
For more information, visit www.archer.com.
This story originally appeared on www.luxurytraveladvisor.com.
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