In 2025, United Airlines will launch an air taxi service between Chicago's Vertiport Center and O'Hare International Airport, using electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft it is buying from Archer Aviation. The Archer Midnight eVTOL aircraft will complete the route in approximately 10 minutes. According to Ars Managing Editor Eric Bangeman, this journey by car can take over an hour due to road construction.
"Both Archer and United are committed to zero-carbon air travel and leveraging innovative technologies to deliver on the promise of electrifying the airline industry," said Michael Leskinen, president of United Airlines Ventures.
"Once operational, we will offer our customers a more sustainable, convenient and cost-effective way of transport when traveling to the airport."
United ordered 200 eVTOL aircraft from Archer in 2021 at a cost of $1 billion. The startup has also raised money from automaker Stellantis, which is helping the company make carbon fiber composites.
United's headquarters are in Chicago, which no doubt helped determine the location of the first eVTOL route. But United and Archer also point out that it's the country's third most populous city, so it's ideal for innovations like eVTOLs.
Once the first route project in Chicago is finished, United plans to add more routes from the airport throughout the city. Archer Midnight has a range of 100 miles (160 km) and a top speed of 150 mph (241 km/h).
If approved by the FAA, the Chicago aircraft will be the first commercial eVTOL service to begin operating in North America. Asked about the cost, an Archer spokesperson told the Chicago Sun-Times that the company hopes to make the service competitive with Uber Black, so it will be around $100 per ride.
