NEW YORK, Apr 18 (Alliance News): Aviation startup Archer has announced a new air taxi partnership with United Airlines, aiming to revolutionize travel between New York City and its surrounding airports with flights as short as 15 minutes.
The company showcased its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the Midnight, in New York on Thursday.
Archer CEO Adam Goldstein likened the futuristic aircraft to a “time machine,” capable of slashing travel time from Manhattan to area airports down to five or ten minutes compared to the often 90-minute drive.
“Nobody is excited to sit in a car for 90 minutes to travel 15 miles,” Goldstein said, highlighting New York’s infamous traffic congestion.
However, the launch timeline is still subject to approval by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which must certify the aircraft before commercial use. In addition to the FAA process, Archer is also pursuing regulatory approval in the United Arab Emirates, where it aims to debut commercially by late 2025.
The Midnight aircraft features 12 engines and propellers, can carry one pilot and up to four passengers with luggage, and has been designed with affordability and high safety in mind. Goldstein believes that if the service proves cost-effective and safe, it could replace helicopters as a common mode of urban transport.
Archer recently completed a manufacturing facility in Georgia, positioning itself for a phased rollout beginning in 2025 and gradually expanding in subsequent years.
Goldstein expressed confidence in the integration of artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies to ensure safety and manage the complexities of urban air mobility.
The announcement comes just weeks after a tragic helicopter crash in New York that killed six people, underscoring the safety challenges of air travel in crowded cities. Still, Goldstein remains optimistic that urban air taxis could become a viable and routine option for commuters.
