The futuristic world of flying taxis might be closer than we think. Archer Aviation made a huge announcement regarding a planned "air mobility network" coming to the Greater Los Angeles Area in the next two years.

Relief from Traffic

The Los Angeles area is notorious for heavy traffic. Commuters or even those passing through the area can find themselves trapped for hours on freeways and roads.

Archer Aviation Incorporated plans to launch a so-called air mobility network in the Los Angeles area. One of the biggest benefits that users of this new service will receive is avoiding the dreaded traffic. Commuters and travellers could be whisked to their destinations in a matter of minutes.

The company wants to reduce travel times for trips that may not necessarily be very far apart. However, as you may know, when it comes to LA, it doesn't matter how far the distance is. Traffic can make even a five-mile journey take an eternity.

Archer wants to replace those one to two-hour drives with 10-20-minute flights.

Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft will be used for this project. The specific model is called the "Midnight eVTOL", which carries a pilot, four passengers, and carry-on luggage. The aircraft can take off and land vertically (hence the name). However, it can fly horizontally like a traditional fixed-wing aeroplane up to 150 miles per hour. It's also electric-powered.

Adam Goldstein, Archer Aviation's CEO, is excited to show the world, especially the Los Angeles community. In Archer's official press release, Goldstein remarked:

"This is a big moment for Archer. Establishing our LA network ahead of the global events that are coming to the region over the next four years is a milestone that will put Midnight on display for the whole world to see. LA is known for its horrendous traffic - our goal is to offer a safer, faster, and sustainable alternative travel option."

Huge Potential

Bear in mind that Los Angeles will host the 2028 Summer Olympics. If Archer can get its eVTOL project off the ground (literally), many of the expected millions of visitors and participants can get between venues in no time, me thanks to the Midnight aircraft.

Archer's planned network will include takeoff and landing locations at Los Angeles International Airport, the University of Southern California, Orange County, Santa Monica, Hollywood-Burbank Airport, Long Beach Airport, and Van Nuys Airport.

The company is also coordinating with the Los Angeles Rams and Hollywood Park for a potential exclusive "vertiport" in the area. Hollywood Park is a 300-acre district centred around the famous SoFI Stadium.

Aside from the Los Angeles area operation, Archer hopes to launch commercial operations in the New York City area as early as 2025. Trips will be offered between Manhattan and the three major New York City airports - LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark.

United Airlines is a major partner in Archer's NYC endeavour. They have bought over $1 billion worth of Archer aircraft. It makes sense, given Newark is a major base for United, and it can be inferred that the airline will work with Archer on the shuttle flights to and from Manhattan.

Using an Archer air taxi will shrink a normally tedious drive from Manhattan to one of the major NYC airports. According to Nikhil Goel, Archer's chief commercial officer, a 90-minute drive could be cut to a seven-minute flight, according to Nikhil Goel, Archer's chief commercial officer.

Other projects that Archer is working on include air taxi services at Chicago O'Hare International Airport by 2025, an air transport network in the San Francisco Bay area, and an air taxi service in conjunction with Southwest Airlines at the 14 Californian airports that it serves.

The future of air taxi travel in the United States and Archer Aviation is promising. No "vertiports" have been constructed yet, but the company hopes to speed up this process as it nears its official launch of operations.