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Air Taxi for Fast 15-Minute Airport Trips in New York by 2026: Archer and United Airlines’ Midnight Plan

New York City’s chaotic traffic may soon be a thing of the past—at least for those heading to the airport. By 2026, Archer Aviation, in partnership with United Airlines, plans to launch an innovative air taxi service that will transport passengers from Manhattan to major airports like JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark in just 5 to 15 minutes.

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A Leap in Urban Mobility

At the core of this futuristic transport system is Archer’s electric aircraft, called Midnight. This electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle is designed for short, quick, and quiet trips—ideal for busy cities like New York. The Midnight aircraft can carry four passengers and a pilot, travel up to 150 mph, and is remarkably quiet—about as loud as a casual conversation.

Unlike helicopters, Midnight produces zero direct emissions and is equipped with 12 redundant propellers, making it both environmentally friendly and extremely safe. Archer’s goal is to offer a sustainable and efficient solution to one of New York’s biggest frustrations: getting to the airport.

Certification and Launch Timeline

Although Midnight is not yet certified for commercial use, Archer has already made big strides. In June 2024, the company received its FAA Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate, which allows it to operate commercial flights. Full certification for Midnight is expected by 2026, with piloted test flights planned for 2025.

How It Will Work

The air taxi network will connect Manhattan with JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, and other nearby airports like Westchester County, Teterboro, and Republic. Existing heliports in Manhattan—such as East 34th Street, West 30th Street, and Downtown—will serve as launch points, with vertiports at airports handling landings.

Passengers will be able to book air taxi rides as add-ons to their United Airlines tickets, offering a smooth and seamless travel experience. A journey that currently takes 1 to 2 hours by car could soon be completed in less than 15 minutes by air.

Making Air Travel Seamless

Archer’s partner, United Airlines, is playing a major role in bringing this idea to life. United has invested $1 billion in the project and has placed an order for up to 200 Midnight aircraft, including a $10 million deposit for the first 100. The airline will also help manage vertiport operations, storage, and maintenance.

Infrastructure partners like Atlantic Aviation, Signature Aviation, Skyports, Modern Aviation, and Air Pegasus are working alongside Archer to convert and electrify existing heliports and airport facilities. The project is also backed by NYC’s Economic Development Corporation and the Port Authority, who see it as a step towards reducing road congestion and boosting sustainable travel.

Why NYC?

With three major airports handling over 150 million passengers annually, New York is the perfect launchpad. Traffic congestion between Manhattan and its airports often causes hours of delay. Archer CEO Adam Goldstein summed it up best: “We want to give residents and visitors the option to complete trips in mere minutes.”

Challenges and Public Concerns

While the plan is exciting, it’s not without obstacles. Archer still needs full FAA certification, and it faces competition from other air taxi developers like Joby Aviation and Beta Technologies.

Initial fares may be high—possibly around $265 per seat, comparable to current helicopter services. Archer’s long-term goal is to match Uber-like prices, making the service accessible to more people.

There are also public concerns around safety, noise, and what happens if things go wrong mid-air. While Midnight is designed to be quiet and safe, it will take time for the public to fully trust this new way of flying.

Looking Beyond New York

New York is just the beginning. Archer has already revealed plans to expand this service to Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, and even Abu Dhabi. By 2030, the company aims to produce 650 Midnight aircraft annually with the help of global carmaker Stellantis.

A New Era of Urban Travel

If everything goes according to plan, catching a flight from New York will soon involve a scenic, electric, and silent 10-minute ride in the sky. Archer and United Airlines are betting big on this air taxi revolution—and it could very well redefine how we move around cities in the future.