Addressing Congestion in Los Angeles: Archer Aviation’s Air Taxi Network
Los Angeles is infamous for its congested traffic, and with three major events on the horizon – the 2026 World Cup, the Super Bowl in 2027, and the 2028 Olympics – city officials are scrambling to find solutions. However, many of the planned transportation infrastructure projects won’t be completed until after 2028, leaving a significant gap. In this gap, Archer Aviation sees an opportunity.
Archer, a startup focused on developing electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOLs), aims to fill this void with a private sector solution: an air taxi network in Los Angeles. Their plan is to replace lengthy two- to three-hour car journeys with quick 10- to 20-minute air taxi rides, starting in 2026.
To make this vision a reality, Archer has announced the locations for its network of vertiports, which are takeoff and landing locations. These vertiports will be strategically placed throughout Los Angeles County, including popular areas like Los Angeles International Airport, the University of Southern California, Santa Monica, Hollywood Burbank, Van Nuys, Long Beach, and Orange County. Additionally, Archer is partnering with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment and the LA Rams football team to build a vertiport at SoFi Stadium in time for the Olympics.
Archer’s expansion plans aren’t limited to Los Angeles. The company recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Kilroy Realty Corporation, designating Kilroy Oyster Point in South San Francisco as a hub for their planned SF Bay Area urban air mobility network.
One advantage Archer has in Los Angeles is the abundance of unused aviation infrastructure, including airports and helipads on rooftops. The company believes that setting up charging infrastructure and passenger facilities will be the key to utilizing this existing infrastructure effectively.
Archer’s location choices were informed by data on how people currently move around Los Angeles. Through a partnership with Southwest Airlines, Archer has gained access to valuable customer data, which helps them identify ideal locations for vertiports.
The launch of Archer’s air taxi network in Los Angeles will be a gradual process. In the first year, the company plans to operate a limited number of aircraft on one or two routes, focusing on providing value and learning how to implement their technology effectively. They also aim to build good customer service and integrate with the communities in which they operate.
While the commercial launch is scheduled for 2026, Archer has plans for limited pilots in six cities, including San Francisco, Miami, New York City, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai, as early as 2025. To achieve this, the company is working on building enough of their Midnight eVTOL aircraft and obtaining the necessary certifications from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The Midnight eVTOL is a piloted, four-passenger electric aircraft with a top speed of 150 miles per hour. It is designed for short flights of 20 to 50 miles, and recharging between rides takes less than 10 minutes.
To support their production needs, Archer is collaborating with automaker Stellantis to build a production facility in Georgia, where they plan to manufacture 650 aircraft per year by the fourth quarter of 2024. In the meantime, they are building six pre-production aircraft in their California factory.
Before Archer can officially launch its air taxi network, they must obtain Type Certification and Production Certification from the FAA. The former verifies that the eVTOL design meets safety standards, while the latter ensures that Archer’s production processes can consistently produce safe aircraft.
According to Nikhil Goel, Archer’s chief commercial officer, the company’s plans are rapidly becoming a reality. They have already conducted numerous successful test flights, with more planned for the future. Goel emphasizes that this is no longer a science fiction concept but a tangible plan to launch in 2026 and then scale up from there.
In conclusion, Archer Aviation’s air taxi network aims to alleviate congestion in Los Angeles by providing a faster and more efficient mode of transportation. With carefully chosen vertiport locations, strategic partnerships, and a strong focus on technology and customer service, Archer is poised to revolutionize urban mobility in Los Angeles and beyond.
