Archer Aviation Air Taxis: Skip NYC Traffic | Electric VTOL

Navigating New York City: Archer Aviation's Vision for Air Taxis

New York City presents a unique paradox: readily available late-night services like dollar slices and quick food delivery coexist with significant traffic congestion, particularly when traveling to and from airports.

Archer Aviation is developing a solution to this problem, proposing an air taxi service designed to transport passengers from Manhattan to surrounding airports in as little as 15 minutes.

Partnership with United Airlines

The startup recently revealed its proposed air taxi network for New York City, established in collaboration with United Airlines.

This partnership will enable passengers to seamlessly integrate an Archer ride with their existing airline tickets.

The Proposed Network

“We are initiating operations with nine primary hubs,” explained Adam Goldstein, co-founder and CEO of Archer, during an interview at Casa Cipriani, observing helicopter activity at the Downtown Skyport.

These hubs encompass the three major international airports – JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark – alongside the three prominent heliports, including the Downtown Skyport, and those located on the east and west sides.

Additionally, the network will incorporate three regional airports: Teterboro, Westchester, and Long Island Republic.

Expansion Plans and FAA Approval

Archer has articulated a similar vision for air taxi networks in other cities, such as Los Angeles.

However, the company is currently awaiting approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its aircraft, the Midnight – a five-seat eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle) – before commencing route testing.

Currently, Archer has only conducted autonomous flights of the aircraft; piloted test flights are yet to be performed.

Competitors, including Joby Aviation and Beta Technologies, have already completed piloted flights.

Timeline and Funding

Goldstein expressed optimism regarding achieving the necessary certifications by 2026, indicating an update on piloted flights during the next earnings call.

The company became publicly traded in 2021 through a special-purpose acquisition merger and has secured $3.36 billion in funding to date, according to PitchBook, through both public and private investments.

Infrastructure and Partnerships

While awaiting certification, Archer is actively establishing the necessary infrastructure and operational framework.

Strategic partnerships are crucial for this process.

United Airlines' Role in New York City

In New York City, United Airlines will contribute to aircraft storage, maintenance, charging infrastructure, and the development of vertiports (landing pads for eVTOLs) at airports.

Archer has also collaborated with Atlantic Aviation, Signature, and Modern Aviation, the operators of Manhattan’s helipads, to secure passenger access and establish charging infrastructure.

Leveraging Existing Infrastructure

“New York City is the leading helicopter commuting hub globally, outside of São Paulo,” stated Nikhil Goel, Archer’s chief commercial officer.

“The existing routes, air traffic management systems, and landing facilities are already in place, minimizing the need for systemic changes. Replacing current helicopters with our aircraft is a logical progression.”

Phased Rollout and Future Goals

Archer intends to begin with a small-scale deployment, operating up to five aircraft in NYC – and other cities – to refine operational procedures before a full launch.

The long-term objective is to operate hundreds of aircraft across multiple cities within the next ten to twenty years.

Last month, Archer initiated the construction of Midnight aircraft at its production facility in Georgia, a project undertaken in partnership with strategic investor Stellantis.

The company plans to achieve an annual production capacity of 650 aircraft by 2030.

Expansion to Other Cities and International Markets

Beyond NYC and LA, Archer is also considering launches in San Francisco and Miami, though the timeline remains contingent on FAA certification and the selection of a first U.S. launch city.

Furthermore, the company plans to introduce an air taxi service in Abu Dhabi, where regulations are less stringent, later this year.

Goldstein believes the proposed NYC network will provide a tangible demonstration of the service’s viability, inspiring confidence in its potential for broader implementation.

“We anticipate that the Abu Dhabi launch will serve as a proof of concept, prompting inquiries about the feasibility of implementing a similar system in New York.”