DALLAS — Electric Taxi developer Archer Aviation has unveiled plans for a proposed New York City air taxi network in partnership with United Airlines (UA). 

Using its Midnight piloted electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, Archer says it can cut travel time to 5-15 minutes from Manhattan to nearby airports, compared to traditional hour-long ground transportation to the city’s three main hubs. 

Midnight can carry up to four passengers while producing less noise and emissions than a traditional helicopter, the latter a key factor for urban air mobility. The aircraft is designed with redundant systems throughout the aircraft, including a total of 12 engines and propellers, ”allowing Archer to aim for safety levels comparable to those of commercial airliners.”

Archer says it will use existing aviation properties around the region to establish vertiports associated with airports and helipads in the area. Archer previously announced air taxi networks in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Archer is manufacturing Midnight in America at facilities located in San Jose, CA, and Covington, GA.

FAA Certification

Archer says it is working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to obtain type certification for its Midnight aircraft to operate in major cities across the US. Archer received its FAA Part 135 Air Carrier and Operator Certificate in June 2024.

If you live in a large metropolitan area and need to catch a UA flight, you can book Archer flights as a complement to traditional airline service, reducing door-to-door travel times. UA previously placed an order for a fleet of Midnight aircraft and “has remained a long-time investor in the company.”

Additionally, Archer is working with infrastructure partners like Atlantic Aviation, Signature Aviation and Skyports/GroupeADP, and new partners Modern Aviation and Air Pegasus, to develop and electrify aviation assets in this proposed network.

In recent years, we've covered the advanced air mobility (AAM) sector and the innovations that were to come from various eVTOL aircraft manufacturers here in the U.S. and abroad. You can check out our analysis of the nascent eVTOL and urban air mobility industry here.

Comments from Archer, United, PANYNJ

Adam Goldstein, CEO and Founder of Archer, said, “The New York region is home to three of the world’s preeminent airports, serving upwards of 150 million passengers annually. 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 United States.”

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

“The Port Authority is excited to help explore the possibility of a new wave of air mobility in the New York and New Jersey region,” said PANYNJ Executive Director Rick Cotton. “We look forward to continued collaboration with Archer, other OEMs, operators and partners across the ecosystem to responsibly explore how this new technology can be safely integrated into the region’s broader transportation network and ensure our airports are ready to support safe and efficient operations.”

Archer Aviation solidified its financial position in February 2025 by closing a US$301.75 million funding round led by BlackRock, selling 35.5 million shares at US$8.50 apiece. 

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