Archer Aviation and United Airlines have announced plans to launch the first electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxi route in Chicago, between O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Vertiport Chicago.
Vertiport Chicago is North America’s largest vertical aircraft take-off and landing facility, located in the Illinois Medical District.
Passengers will be able to travel between here and ORD using Archer’s Midnight aircraft in approximately 10 minutes, while a similar trip by car can take upwards of an hour.
With this partnership, United and Archer aim to provide residents and visitors in the Chicago Metropolitan Area with a “safe, sustainable, low-noise, and cost-competitive” alternative to ground transportation from 2025.
Michael Leskinen, President of United Airlines Ventures, said:Both Archer and United are committed to decarbonising 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.
This announcement follows Archer and United’s plans to operate eVTOL services between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and New York City.
Their early launch routes will focus on airport-to-city centre services, known as “trunk” routes. Once these trunk routes have been established, the companies plan to build out “branch” routes to connect to surrounding communities.
