Summary:
Archer Aviation plans to launch an air taxi service in New York City.
Rides will cut travel time to airports from over an hour to less than 15 minutes.
The Midnight electric plane can travel 20 to 50 miles on a full charge.
Partnerships include United Airlines and the NYCEDC.
Still needs FAA Type Certification for operational launch.
Archer Aviation's Bold Vision
Archer Aviation, an innovative California-based electric airplane startup, has unveiled an ambitious plan for an air taxi service in New York City. This service aims to connect various locations in Manhattan to three major airports: JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark.
Quick and Efficient Transportation
Imagine cutting your travel time to the airport from over an hour to less than 15 minutes! With Archer's Midnight electric plane, passengers will enjoy a 5 to 15-minute ride from select spots in Manhattan to designated vertiports at the airports. This service will be available as an add-on when booking regular flight tickets.
The Midnight Electric Plane
The Midnight is a four-passenger electric VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft, powered by six batteries and equipped with 12 rotors. It can travel between 20 and 50 miles on a single charge, making it an ideal option for quick airport transfers.
Photo by: Archer Aviation
Starting Points and Partnerships
Archer plans to utilize existing facilities like the East 34th Street Heliport, Downtown Skyport, and West 30th Street Heliport as departure points for travelers. The startup has garnered support from United Airlines, the New York Port Authority, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). Additionally, they have received airworthiness criteria approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), making them one of only two air taxi companies in the U.S. to achieve this milestone, alongside Joby Aviation.
Challenges Ahead
Despite these advancements, Archer still lacks the FAA Type Certification required for operations. Critical details such as the number of daily flights, operating hours, and pricing have yet to be disclosed. Previously, Archer had similar air taxi proposals for cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago. The future of air travel is looking up, but there are still many hurdles to overcome before this vision becomes a reality.
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