CHICAGO -- Archer Aviation Inc and United Airlines plan to launch the first air taxi route in Chicago, between O'Hare International Airport and Vertiport Chicago. Vertiport Chicago is North America's largest vertical aircraft takeoff and landing facility, and is located in the Illinois Medical District near the Chicago Loop. Archer said that the site was selected as the takeoff and landing site for the new airport-to-city-center route due to its convenience, access, and service.

From the vertiport, passengers will be able to travel to and from O'Hare via Archer's Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in approximately 10 minutes. A similar trip by car can take upwards of an hour or more during rush hour traffic.

United and Archer's goal for its urban air mobility (UAM) 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. Chicago is home to United's headquarters. Plans call for the early launch routes to focus on airport to city center transportation service, which are called trunk routes. Once the trunk routes have been established, the next step is to be building branch routes to connect to surrounding communities.

"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," said Michael Leskinen, President of United Airlines Ventures. "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."

"We're thrilled to add Chicago to our growing list of initial launch cities as we continue to solidify our UAM network plans," said Archer CEO Adam Goldstein. "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."

"Vertiport Chicago is delighted to participate alongside United Airlines and Archer in revolutionizing intra-city travel in Chicago," said Daniel Mojica, Executive Director of Vertiport Chicago. "This partnership will inspire other cities to plan for cutting-edge transportation solutions."

The utility company 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.