Imagine skipping New York traffic completely and getting from Manhattan to the airport in under 15 minutes. That’s exactly what Archer Aviation, backed by car giant Stellantis, is planning with its new electric air taxi network.
Partnering with United Airlines, Archer wants to launch a fleet of flying taxis (yes, seriously) to make airport runs fast, smooth, and way less stressful. The aim? A quick 5–15 minute flight from the city to surrounding airports, completely avoiding that soul-crushing NYC traffic.
What is the Midnight air taxi?
The Midnight is a fully electric aircraft designed to carry up to four passengers. It's quieter and cleaner than a helicopter, and yes—there’s a human pilot on board. It runs on 12 engines and propellers, and Archer is working with the FAA to get it certified for public use.
Once it’s cleared, you’ll be able to book a ride on the Midnight the same way you'd book a flight with United Airlines.
Where can you fly from?
Archer is planning to launch from places like:
- JFK
- LaGuardia (LGA)
- Newark (EWR)
- Westchester
- Teterboro
- Downtown Skyport
- Republic Airport
- W. 30th and E. 34th helipads
These “vertiports” will be set up across the city and nearby areas to make takeoffs and landings as easy as possible.
Why it matters
Archer CEO Adam Goldstein put it best: “The New York region is home to three of the world’s preeminent airports, serving upwards of 150 million passengers annually.
“But the drive from Manhattan to any of these airports can be painful, taking one, sometimes two hours.
“We want to change that by giving residents and visitors the option to complete trips in mere minutes.
“With its existing helicopter infrastructure, regulatory support and strong demand, I believe New York could be one of the first markets for air taxis in the United States.”
What else is out there?
Right now, most people in NYC rely on subways, buses, ferries, or commuter rails like the LIRR or Metro-North. This air taxi service won’t replace those—it’s more of an upgrade option for when time is tight (or you just want to feel like you’re living in 2030).
United Airlines says this is just the beginning of what’s possible with advanced air mobility—and they’re all in on helping build the infrastructure to make it happen.
