Archer Aviation has unveiled plans for a New York air taxi network in partnership with United Airlines, aiming to transform how residents and visitors move around the region. 

California-based Archer’s goal is to enable passengers to travel from Manhattan to nearby airports in just 5 to 15 minutes, reducing travel times compared with traditional ground transportation and helping avoid the city’s notorious traffic.

Under this concept of operations, passengers would book Archer flights as they book 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 continuing to work with the FAA to seek type certification of its Midnight aircraft. Once type certification is received, Archer and its operating partners plan to integrate Midnight safely and seamlessly into service, beginning with major airports like those in New York. Archer received its FAA Part 135 Air Carrier and Operator Certificate in June 2024. It previously announced air taxi networks in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

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 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, California, and Covington, Georgia.

Archer will look to use existing aviation properties around the region, with a goal of establishing vertiports associated with airports and helipads in the area.

Archer 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.

“The New York region is home to three of the world’s preeminent airports, serving upwards of 150 million passengers annually,” said Adam Goldstein, CEO of Archer (www.archer.com). “But the drive from Manhattan to any of these airports can be painful, taking one, sometimes two hours. We want to change that by giving residents and visitors the option to complete trips in mere minutes. 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 USA.”

Andrew Chang, head of United Airlines (www.united.com) Ventures, added: “At United, our focus is on driving innovation, reimaging the future of air travel and enhancing the customer experience every step of the journey. Our strategic collaboration with Archer will be key to our efforts to build and optimise the infrastructure – such as real estate development, air space management, and safety and security protocols – necessary to bring advanced air mobility to our customers.”

And New York City Economic Development Corporation (edc.nyc) CEO Andrew Kimball said: “New York City is ushering in an exciting new chapter of safe, quiet and sustainable air transportation, pioneering the integration of eVTOL aircraft into our skies. We look forward to partnering with Archer and other leading eVTOL companies to propel this industry forward, facilitating the transition to eVTOLs and last-mile Blue Highways delivery, cleaning up our skies, unclogging our roadways and improving the lives of New Yorkers in the process.”