United Airlines and Archer have partnered up to make short commutes easier for travelers getting to and from the airport.
Archer, a California-based electric aircraft maker, will introduce 100 of its five-person air taxis to the United fleet. These mini planes will only be used as shuttles, going back and forth between Newark Liberty International Airport and the Downtown Manhattan Heliport on Pier 6.
This partnership is the first of its kind, with United and Archer announcing a specific route from an airport to a city center. However, it will not be the last. United has already tapped Eve Air Mobility for 200 of its eVTOLs in an effort to get its air shuttle service off the ground in a few years.
Michael Leskinen, president of United Airlines Ventures, is looking forward to the electric air taxis coming to NYC and Newark passengers. He believes the move will “fundamentally change” how United customers experience airport commutes, getting them to and from the airport faster and safer.
Major airlines are becoming increasingly interested in air taxis, viewing them as an alternative that can prevent travelers from missing flights and save others from the headache of unpredictable traffic. Delta Airlines has also invested $60 million in another California-based eVTOL company, Joby, to create its own air-taxi services between areas in New York and Los Angeles.
The deal between United and Archer will begin in 2025, with hopes of reaching markets outside the New York and Newark area soon after.
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