Archer Aviation and United Airlines have unveiled their first electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) route for Chicago.
The plan is to operate the air route between O’Hare International Airport and Vertiport Chicago, which is located in the Illinois Medical District near the Chicago Loop.
According to Archer and United, this site was selected as the takeoff and landing site for this airport to city centre route because of its convenience, access and service.
From there, passengers will be able to travel to and from ORD via Archer’s Midnight aircraft in approximately 10 minutes. A similar trip by car can take upwards of an hour or more during rush hour traffic, with the Blue Line taking around the same time to travel from the Loop.
United and Archer’s goal for its Urban Air Mobility network is to 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.
The early launch routes will focus on airport-to-city centre transportation services, referred to as “trunk” routes. Once the trunk routes have been established, the next step will be to build out “branch” routes to connect to surrounding communities.
ComEd will work with United and Archer to establish the power infrastructure necessary to support eVTOL aircraft operations in and around the Chicago Metropolitan Area.
In Quotes
Michael Leskinen, President of United Airlines Ventures, said:
“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, we’re excited to offer our customers a more sustainable, convenient and cost-effective mode of transportation during their commutes to the airport.”
Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot added:
“Technological innovation thrives here in Chicago, and this venture between Archer and United is yet another example of this strength,”
“This exciting new technology will further decarbonize our means of transportation, taking us another step forward in our fight against climate change. I’m pleased that Chicago residents will be among the first in the nation to experience this innovative, convenient form of travel.”
Governor JB Pritzker said:
“Here in Illinois, we are taking bold steps to lead the clean revolution—paving the way for a more sustainable future for our state, our nation, and our world,” saican’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. This partnership is just another way that we will achieve our goal of transitioning to 100% clean energy by 2050—all while saving Illinoisans money and creating thousands of good paying jobs in the process.”
Adam Goldstein, Archer’s Founder and CEO, added:
“We’re thrilled to add Chicago to our growing list of initial launch cities as we continue to solidify our UAM network plans,”
“We’re looking forward to working with state and city leaders to bring an innovative transportation solution to the City of Chicago and its surrounding communities.”
Daniel Mojica, the Executive Director of Vertiport Chicago.
“Vertiport Chicago is delighted to participate alongside United Airlines and Archer in revolutionizing intra-city travel in Chicago,”
“This partnership will inspire other cities to plan for cutting-edge transportation solutions.”
We will see…
eVTOL, and Air Taxis, are still very much emerging technologies, with plenty of testing to be done, along with compliance and regulation which is still very much a nascent thing. It is going to take a lot to develop these cases, along with the associated infrastructure to charge these vehicles.
And I don’t imagine these eVOTL flights to be cheap, or to be able to carry much luggage other than hand luggage.
Archer Aviation’s plans call for flight tests of its “Midnight” aircraft in 2023/2024 – and a lot of the demonstrations will need to turn into proven and repeatable flight services.
Although…
eVTOL shows promise for rapid point-to-point travel. However, some things exist that allow people to move from point to point in an almost frictionless way.
One way could be an express train service between the Loop and O’Hare – be it on a new alignment or upgrading infrastructure to support this (For those who aren’t aware, O’Hare has a train station, as well as the L station near the Central Terminal Area.
And a lot more people can use this, with a much lower accessible cost.
And whilst they claim up to an hour at rush, try going between the Loop and O’Hare at night – it’s possible to be there in 30 minutes flat…
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Another attempt at providing downtown areas quick transport from an airport or wherever. There must be other uses for these aircraft beside a hop from airport to city center or the likes. These new aircraft will surely have their accidents. In the future we might be looking above for falling aircraft.