Flying Above the Gridlock: Archer’s Air Taxi Network Takes Off in New York

By Lola Sweeny

Say goodbye to the nightmare of navigating New York traffic—Archer Aviation and United Airlines are preparing to launch an air taxi network that will whisk travelers between Manhattan and major airports in as little as five minutes.

The futuristic service, set to take off in the coming years, will feature Archer’s fully electric Midnight aircraft. Designed to carry up to four passengers, the Midnight is quiet, emission-free, and packed with 12 redundant electric motors to ensure safety. Its mission? To replace an hour-plus slog through gridlocked streets with a seamless, sustainable flight measured in minutes.

This isn’t just an experiment in convenience—it’s a full-blown reimagining of urban mobility. Archer, which secured its FAA Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate in 2024, is on track to receive full Type Certification that will greenlight commercial operations.

To bring this vision to life, Archer is teaming up with major ground and flight partners—including Signature Aviation, Atlantic Aviation, Skyports, Modern Aviation, and Air Pegasus—to transform existing helipads and aviation hubs into electric-ready vertiports. These strategic locations across the city will serve as key nodes in the air taxi network.

The concept isn’t new for Archer; similar frameworks have already been mapped out in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles. But New York could be the first to see it soar.

“New York could be one of the first markets for air taxis in the U.S.,” said Adam Goldstein, Archer’s CEO. He cites the city’s strong infrastructure, supportive regulatory environment, and high traveler demand as the perfect storm for launch.

More than just a quick hop from point A to B, Archer and United envision an integrated, door-to-door experience. Passengers will soon be able to land at JFK or Newark and be in Manhattan before their luggage even hits the carousel.

The era of flying above the traffic may be closer than we think—and New York is getting a front-row seat.