Archer’s planned New York City network. Its vision would enable customers to replace 1-2-hour drives with flights that take 5-15 minutes, potentially saving hours versus sitting in traffic. Source (All Images) | Archer Aviation

On April 17, Archer Aviation (Santa Clara, Calif., U.S.) unveiled plans for a proposed New York City (NYC) air taxi network in partnership with United Airlines. Archer’s goal is to enable passengers to travel from Manhattan to nearby airports in just 5-15 minutes using Midnight, the company’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) platform, in order to dramatically reduce travel times compared to traditional ground transportation and help avoid the city’s notorious traffic.

Midnight, featuring a composites-intensive design, can carry up to four passengers while producing less noise and emissions than a traditional helicopter. Midnight is built with redundant systems across the aircraft —including 12 total engines and propellers — enabling Archer to target similar levels of safety as commercial airliners. Archer is building Midnight 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.

The company continues work with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to earn earn the aircraft’s type certification. once received, Archer and its operating partners plan to safely and seamlessly integrate Midnight into service, beginning with major airports like those in the NYC 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. The company previously announced air taxi networks in San Francisco and Los Angeles.