United Airlines and Archer Aviation plan to significantly reduce airport commute time in Chicago by announcing the city's first commercial air taxi route. The commute from Chicago O’Hare airport to the city, which currently takes more than an hour during peak time, will be covered in just 10 minutes following the air taxi’s introduction.

United’s air taxi service to come to Chicago

Traveling from Chicago city center to O’Hare International Airport will become much faster in the next couple of years, with United Airlines and Archer Aviation joining hands to start an air taxi service.

Both have selected O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Vertiport Chicago as the next point-to-point route in which they will utilize Archer’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft as part of their urban air mobility (UAM) network buildout. The plan is to begin services in 2025.

Vertiport Chicago, North America’s largest vertical aircraft takeoff and landing facility, is located in the Illinois Medical District near the Chicago Loop. United and Archer have selected this as the takeoff and landing site for this airport to the city center route because of its convenience, access, and service.

From there, passengers will be able to travel to and from ORD via Archer’s Midnight aircraft in approximately 10 minutes. Michael Leskinen, President of United Airlines Ventures, commented,

“Both Archer and United are committed to decarbonizing air travel and leveraging innovative technologies to deliver on the promise of the electrification of the aviation industry. Once operational, we’re excited to offer our customers a more sustainable, convenient and cost-effective mode of transportation during their commutes to the airport.”

United’s eVTOL plans

Archer Aviation first acquired United as a customer in January 2021, with the airline placing an order worth $1 billion. In November last year, Archer introduced its production eVTOL aircraft, titled Midnight, at an open house event in Palo Alto, CA.

The aircraft will carry four passengers and one pilot and is an advancement of the original demonstrator plane, the Maker. It will also use innovative technology to provide a low-noise, sustainable, and safe alternative to helicopters.

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Last year, United also announced a second significant investment in eVTOL technology by investing $15 million in Eve Air Mobility, alongside a conditional purchase agreement for the vehicle. The purchase agreement covered a total of 200 of the four-seat electric aircraft and included options for 200 more. The first deliveries of the Eve aircraft are expected in 2026.

Archer Aviation’s air taxi plans

Archer Aviation had earlier said that by 2025, it plans to produce about 250 battery-electric air taxis. The company is quite confident about its schedule, with Archer CEO Adam Goldstein previously commenting,

“In our first year, we will build 250 aircraft, our second year will build 500 aircraft, our third year will build 650 aircraft, and then we scale it up to around 2,000 aircraft per year.”

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Archer and United have already chosen Newark Liberty International Airport to Downtown Manhattan Heliport as the first route to utilize the Midnight aircraft, and with Chicago joining the list, other cities could follow suit.

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  United Airlines

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  UA/UAL

  Airline Type:

  Full Service Carrier

  Hub(s):

  Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Denver International Airport, Guam International Airport, Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport

  Year Founded:

  1931

  Alliance:

  Star Alliance

  CEO:

  Scott Kirby

  Country:

  United States