United Airlines (UA, Chicago O'Hare) has announced the 2025 launch of another air taxi route, this time in Chicago, as it builds its Archer Aviation electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft urban air mobility (UAM) network. The companies last year announced their first airport-to-city centre route between United’s hub at New York Newark and New York Downtown Manhattan.
In Chicago, the point-to-point ferry will run between Chicago O'Hare and Vertiport Chicago, an expected 10-minute ride compared to an hour-long drive by car or longer during rush hour. Once the trunk route between the airport and the city centre is established, United and Archer will add branch routes to connect to surrounding communities, the companies said in a joint statement.
The services will run with Archer’s Midnight eVTOL aircraft seating four passengers and one pilot. The helicopter-style machine will have six pairs of engines, each powered by a separate battery, with a top speed of around 241km/h. Archer is due to begin test flights of the Midnight later this year.
“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,” commented United Airlines President Michael Leskinen.
