United Airlines has demonstrated its commitment to flying taxis by putting a US$10 million downpayment on a fleet of eVTOLs from Archer. Jenny Southan reports
Last year, Virgin Atlantic announced a partnership with Vertical Aerospace to create an air taxi network in the UK that could replace airport – and city-to-city – commutes by train and car. Now, United Airlines is implementing a similar plan for the US.
Although Californian start-up Archer is still in the development phase of its flying taxis, having the support of a major airline such as United is a massive vote of confidence.
All in all, the airline has placed an order for 200 of its eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles), an order worth US$1 billion. The initial US$10 million payment is for delivery of the first 100 air taxis.
Archer hopes that the first of its four-seater eVTOLs could be in operation by 2024. The air taxis will be able to fly 60 miles on one charge, at a maximum speed of 150 miles per hour. Not only will they be emission-free, they will also be much quieter than helicopters.
Michael Leskinen, president of United Airlines Ventures, says: “This announcement marks a new important phase in our relationship with Archer, and our commitment to EVTOL technology. We are witnessing an inflection point where consumers, businesses, and policymakers are all aligned to prioritize technology that reduces the impact of climate change.