United Airlines and Archer Aviation Inc. have teamed up to launch the first air taxi route in Chicago, between O’Hare International Airport and Vertiport Chicago. This new mode of transportation will provide residents and visitors in the Chicago Metropolitan Area with a safe, sustainable, low noise, and cost-competitive alternative to ground transportation beginning in 2025.
Trunk and Branch Routes
The initial focus will be on trunk routes, specifically airport-to-city center transportation services. Once the trunk routes are established, they will build out branch routes to connect to surrounding communities. United and Archer’s goal is to offer a more sustainable, convenient, and cost-effective mode of transportation during commutes to the airport.
Decarbonizing Air Travel
Michael Leskinen, President of United Airlines Ventures, states, “Both Archer and United are committed to decarbonizing air travel and leveraging innovative technologies to deliver on the promise of the electrification of the aviation industry.” Once operational, customers will have access to a more sustainable mode of transportation during their commutes to the airport. This partnership between United Airlines and Archer Aviation aligns with the state’s clean energy goals of transitioning to 100% clean energy by 2050.
Strong Support
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker says, “I can’t think of a better team than Archer and United to partner with as we work to ensure our existing aviation infrastructure can support this new and exciting form of transportation.” The city’s mayor, Lori E. Lightfoot, also expresses her support, stating, “Technological innovation thrives here in Chicago, and this venture between Archer and United is yet another example of this strength.”
Partnerships
Vertiport Chicago, the city’s only downtown heliport, will participate alongside United Airlines and Archer in revolutionizing intra-city travel in Chicago. ComEd, the Midwest’s largest utility company, will work with United and Archer to establish the power infrastructure necessary to support electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft operations in and around the Chicago Metropolitan Area.
Archer Aviation Inc. is designing and developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for use in urban air mobility networks. United’s shared purpose is “Connecting People. Uniting the World.” From their U.S. hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark/New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., United operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers.
