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March 25, 2023 | 9:14 p.m
An air taxi service is coming to Chicago in 2025 courtesy of United Airlines and Archer Aviation.
The two companies on Thursday announced plans to launch the city’s first air taxi route, which will use Archer’s electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, to shuttle residents between O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and downtown to be transported from Vertiport Chicago.
Passengers can travel downtown to the airport in about 10 minutes on Archer’s Midnight plane, avoiding rush-hour traffic.
“Both Archer and United are committed to decarbonizing air travel and leveraging innovative technologies to deliver on the promise of electrifying the airline industry,” said Michael Leskinen, President of United Airlines Ventures.
“Once operational, we look forward to offering our customers a more sustainable, convenient and cost-effective mode of transportation for their trips to the airport.”
The announcement comes after United Airlines agreed last year to buy up to 200 air taxis from Archer in a $1 billion deal.
The aim of the airline is to transport travelers to the airport quickly, safely and in the most environmentally friendly way possible.
United Airlines and Archer Aviation Plan to Launch Airline Taxi Service to Chicago in 2025, Business Wire
Archer’s Midnight plane can carry up to four United customers at a time, transporting them up to 100 miles at speeds of up to 150 miles per hour.
According to a press release, Chicago was chosen as the base for United’s new taxi service because the city is a hub for business, innovation and investment, and United’s headquarters.
“Both Archer and United are committed to decarbonizing air travel and leveraging innovative technologies to deliver on the promise of electrifying the airline industry,” said Michael Leskinen, President of United Airlines Ventures.
“Once operational, we look forward to offering our customers a more sustainable, convenient and cost-effective mode of transportation for their trips to the airport.”
The aircraft can carry up to 4 passengers at a time and transport them up to 100 miles at speeds of up to 150 miles per hour. Xinhua News Agency/Getty Images
The plan calls for launch routes to focus on the round-trip transport of passengers between the airport and the city center, known as “trunk routes”.
Once these routes are established, United intends to expand “branch routes” to surrounding communities in the greater Chicago area.
“Technological innovation thrives here in Chicago, and this project between Archer and United is another example of that strength,” said Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot.
“This exciting new technology will further decarbonize our means of transportation and take us another step forward in our fight against climate change. I’m excited that Chicagoans will be among the first in the nation to experience this innovative, convenient way to travel.”
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker hailed the plan as a “bold step” toward transitioning the state to 100% clean energy by 2050.
“I can’t think of a better team than Archer and United to work with to ensure our existing aviation infrastructure can support this new and exciting form of transportation,” the governor said.
But how much will the trip cost?
An Archer spokesman told the Chicago Sun-Times they hope to make pricing competitive with Uber Black, at an estimated fare of about $100 for the trip from Vertiport to O’Hare.
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