Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) developer Archer Aviation has unveiled new plans for a proposed air-taxi network in New York City, in partnership with United Airlines.
The California-based company said this new network will enable passengers to travel from Manhattan to nearby airports in just 5 to 15 minutes, using Archer’s piloted eVTOL, Midnight.
Adam Goldstein, CEO and founder of Archer said: "The New York region is home to three of the world's preeminent airports, serving upwards of 150 million passengers annually. But the drive from Manhattan to any of these airports can be painful, taking one, sometimes two hours.”
Goldstein noted that with regulatory support and strong demand, New York could be one of the first markets for air taxis in the US. Archer will also look to utilise existing aviation properties around the region, with a goal of establishing vertiports associated with airports and helipads in the area.
Under this concept, the company said that passengers would book Archer services as a complement to traditional airline travel. United has previously placed an order for a fleet of Midnight aircraft and has remained a long-time investor in the company.
"At United, our focus is on driving innovation, reimagining the future of air travel and enhancing the customer experience every step of the journey," said Andrew Chang, head of United Airlines ventures.
Chang continued: "Our strategic collaboration with Archer will be key to our efforts to build and optimize the infrastructure - such as real estate development, air space management, and safety and security protocols-necessary to bring advanced air mobility to our customers."
Midnight has the capability to carry up to four passengers and is built with redundant systems across the aircraft – including 12 engines and propellers.
The company is currently working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to seek type certification of its Midnight aircraft. Once this certification is received, Archer plans to integrate Midnight into service, beginning with US airports like those in New York.
Archer Aviation was granted approval by the FAA in June 2024 to operate as a certified airline under Part 135 regulations.
The company said it is 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.
Last year, the company unveiled plans for air taxi networks in cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco and Abu Dhabi.