NEW YORK CITY, New York: Archer Aviation has announced plans to start an air-taxi service in New York City, working with United Airlines. Their goal is to make travel between Manhattan and nearby airports much faster.

The company's stock rose seven percent after the news.

Archer wants to use its electric aircraft, Midnight, to transport passengers between Manhattan and airports. This aircraft can carry four people and is designed to reduce travel time from one to two hours by car to 5–15 minutes by air.

Many companies are working on similar electric aircraft, hoping to meet the demand for quicker and more eco-friendly travel in cities. These companies, supported by major airlines and defense firms, plan to reduce traffic in busy areas by offering short flights between airports and city centers.

Archer, supported by companies like Stellantis and United Airlines, plans to use New York's existing airport and helipad infrastructure. They want to set up special landing spots, called vertiports, around the city.

Archer's CEO, Adam Goldstein, said New York could be one of the first cities in the U.S. to use air taxis because it already has helicopter services, government support, and strong demand.

However, Archer's Midnight aircraft still needs to be approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This approval, called a Type Certification, confirms the aircraft meets safety and design standards. Only after getting this certification can the aircraft be used for passenger service.

Andrew Chang from United Airlines Ventures said their partnership with Archer will help develop the necessary infrastructure, such as landing spaces and safety systems, to make air taxis possible.

United Airlines has already ordered several Midnight aircraft from Archer.

Archer says these air-taxi flights will be used alongside regular air travel, helping passengers get to and from the airport more easily.