New York is a city where you can order practically anything to your doorstep within minutes, yet somehow, the journey to catch a flight remains stuck in the last century – a grueling, unpredictable slog that can easily devour half your day. Archer Aviation is betting it can fix this longstanding urban pain point with electric air taxis flying passengers from Manhattan to nearby airports in just 15 minutes.
The California-based aviation startup unveiled its ambitious plans for a comprehensive New York City air taxi network last week, developed in partnership with United Airlines. The service will allow travelers to add an Archer air taxi ride directly to their United flight bookings, creating a seamless connection between traditional air travel and this next-generation urban mobility solution.
Manhattan to JFK in Minutes, Not Hours
“The average New Yorker wastes over 100 hours annually stuck in traffic,” Adam Goldstein, Archer’s co-founder and CEO, explained during the announcement. “We’re building a transportation network that gives people back their most precious resource – time.”
The initial network will connect nine strategic locations across the New York metropolitan area: JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark international airports; Manhattan’s three existing heliports (Downtown, East Side, and West Side); and three regional airports (Teterboro, Westchester, and Long Island Republic).
Credit: Archer
Archer’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, called “Midnight,” is designed to carry four passengers plus a pilot. With a range of approximately 100 miles and a cruising speed of 150 mph, the aircraft is specifically optimized for short, consecutive trips of 20-50 miles – perfect for the typical airport run.
Unlike helicopters, which have dominated New York’s aerial transport scene for decades, Archer’s Midnight aircraft promises to be significantly quieter, safer, and more environmentally friendly.
More Than Just a Concept
While numerous air mobility companies have floated similar visions over the past decade, Archer is making tangible progress toward turning the concept into reality.
The company began construction of its manufacturing facility in Georgia last year, with backing from automotive giant Stellantis. The facility aims to produce up to 650 aircraft annually by 2030.
“You don’t have to squint very hard to imagine any of these helicopters that are flying by on the Hudson simply replacing them with one of our aircraft. The routes are already there. The air traffic already knows how to work with them,” said Nikhil Goel, Archer’s Chief Commercial Officer. “The FBOs and the landing facilities are already there. So there’s no systemic changes that are necessary”.
United Airlines brings crucial operational expertise to the partnership. The legacy carrier will assist with aircraft storage, maintenance, charging infrastructure, and vertiport integration at the airports it serves.
Archer has also secured partnerships with the operators of Manhattan’s existing heliports – Atlantic Aviation, Signature, and Modern Aviation – which will provide passenger access and charging infrastructure.
The Regulatory Road Ahead
Despite the momentum, significant hurdles remain. Archer is still awaiting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification for its Midnight aircraft, a process that involves stringent safety testing and regulatory reviews.
The company hopes to achieve certification in 2026, though it has yet to conduct piloted test flights of the Midnight. Competitors like Joby Aviation and Beta Technologies have already reached that milestone.
To build operational experience while navigating the FAA process, Archer plans to launch its first commercial service in Abu Dhabi later this year, where regulatory requirements are less restrictive.
“Starting operations internationally gives us invaluable real-world experience that we can apply to our U.S. launch cities,” Goldstein noted. “When people see it working in Abu Dhabi, they’ll understand that this isn’t science fiction – it’s the near future of urban mobility.”
From Luxury to Everyday Transportation
Initially, Archer’s air taxi service will target business travelers and those willing to pay a premium for time savings. Early pricing is expected to be comparable to helicopter services, positioning it as a luxury option.
However, the company’s long-term vision is far more ambitious: to scale operations and reduce costs until air taxis become an everyday transportation option for commuters across major urban centers.
“We’re starting with the routes and use cases that make economic sense today,” said Goldstein. “But our North Star is democratizing access to the skies – making three-dimensional transportation available to everyone, not just the elite.”
Archer isn’t alone in pursuing this vision. Competitors like Joby Aviation (partnered with Delta Air Lines), Lilium, and Vertical Aerospace are all racing to establish similar networks in cities worldwide. Together, they represent a potential revolution in urban mobility – assuming they can navigate the complex web of technical challenges, regulatory requirements, and economic realities.
For New Yorkers dreading their next airport commute, the prospect of skipping traffic entirely is undeniably appealing. Whether Archer can deliver on its promises remains to be seen, but the company is clearly positioning itself at the forefront of a transportation revolution that could fundamentally reshape how we move through urban environments.
