Archer electric air taxi to take flight from Newark airport

Listen to this article

Archer Aviation Inc. and United Airlines announced their first airport-to-city-center electric air taxi route, slated to fly between United’s hub at Newark Liberty International Airport and New York City beginning in 2025.

According to the Nov. 10 announcement, the proposed course marks the first specific route in the electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle (eVTOL) industry.

Archer’s goal is to provide passengers with safe, quick, quiet and cost-effective transportation to and from EWR. 

Based in Santa Clara, Calif., Archer estimates it will take less than 10 minutes from the downtown Manhattan Heliport to reach EWR in its all-electric Midnight aircraft — a low-noise, sustainable alternative to helicopters. By comparison, the company estimates that a similar trip by car can take more than an hour during rush hour traffic.

An Archer representative told NJBIZ that, at launch, “passengers can expect to pay a price similar to that of a vehicle ridesharing service” for the trip. Riders will be able to book a trip directly from an app on their smartphone and board an Archer eVTOL aircraft at the nearest vertiport, the representative added.

Archer said United’s Newark airport hub is ideally located to serve Manhattan and its surrounding boroughs, as well as communities in New Jersey.

The Downtown Manhattan Heliport, located just above Battery Park on Pier 6, will be the first planned takeoff and landing site and is part of Archer’s broader plan to launch an Urban Air Mobility network across the New York metropolitan area. 

Following the initial route launch in 2025, more trips to surrounding areas are expected.

“We are excited to share additional updates as we approach the launch of our commercial business operations in 2025,” the Archer representative told NJBIZ.

“Once operational, electric air taxis will fundamentally change how United customers experience comfort, convenience, and efficiency during their commutes to the airport,” Michael Leskinen, president of United Airlines Ventures, said in a statement. “Archer’s New York to Newark route marks another important benchmark towards [sic] providing a carbon-neutral and safe commute that drastically reduces the travel time and produces a fraction of the sound emitted by helicopters.” 

Reducing energy consumption and emissions from the transportation sector is one of the key initiatives laid out in Gov. Phil Murphy’s Energy Master Plan, whose goal is reaching 100% clean energy by 2050. 

“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,” Archer founder and CEO Adam Goldstein said. “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.” 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the city was “thrilled” about the announcement.