Archer Aviation and United Airlines have announced that their first commercial ‘electric air taxi’ route will operate between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and New York City.
The companies believe this airport to city centre service will give passengers a further mode of travel that they believe is safe, efficient and cost-effective.
This is the first specific upcoming eVTOL route that has been announced in the US.
The Downtown Manhattan Heliport has been confirmed as the first planned take-off and landing site as part of Archer’s broader plan to launch an urban air mobility (UAM) network across New York.
Adam Goldstein, Archer’s Founder and CEO said:We’re excited to be confirming New York as the first of many routes we’ll be announcing alongside United as we work to build out our national UAM network. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with United and to working closely with state and local government leaders in the New York and New Jersey area as we bring this exciting new form of transportation to life.
Archer’s eVTOL Midnight aircraft provides a low-noise, more sustainable and safer alternative to helicopters. Each aircraft can carry four passengers as well as the pilot.
The company estimates that the journey from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport to EWR will take less than 10 minutes, whereas a journey by car can take upwards of an hour. Train services between Manhattan (Pennsylvania Station) and the airport run every 15 minutes and take 24 minutes one way.
Michael Leskinen, President of United Airlines Ventures said:Once operational, electric air taxis will fundamentally change how United customers experience comfort, convenience, and efficiency during their commutes to the airport. Archer’s New York to Newark route marks another important benchmark towards providing a carbon-neutral and safe commute that drastically reduces the travel time and produces a fraction of the sound emitted by helicopters.
