The air taxi is already a reality. Archer Aviation and United Airlines have announced an agreement to launch a commercial air taxi route in Chicago by 2025. The service will run between the city center and O'Hare International Airport, located almost 30 kilometers From the center of the city.
This distance makes this airfield, which is the hub of United Airlines operations, an almost perfect test bed for flying taxis. For example, currently, a car journey from the city center to the infrastructure can take between 35 minutes and an hour, always depending on the state of traffic. For its part, the train journey can take about 45 minutes.
With the air taxi service, Archer Aviation and United Airlines estimate that the journey will take about 10 minutes. However, both companies plan to add other routes designed to bring passengers closer to other areas of the city and even the state of Illinois.
Although the price of the service has not been disclosed, Archer has ensured that the route will be "cost competitive" for passengers.
While the flying taxi service will initially target deep-pocketed business travelers, the new service will also benefit the environment. Archer's air taxis use electric motors and batteries, so they produce very few emissions.
“This exciting new technology will further decarbonize our transportation, taking us one step further in our fight against climate change,” said Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. of the country to experience this innovative and comfortable way of traveling”, he added.
This agreement is the latest chapter in the determined commitment that United Airlines has made to flying taxis in recent years. In 2022, the company ordered at least 200 electric taxis from the Eve Air Mobility company for a value of more than 10 million dollars.
Air taxis are added to a solid public transport system based on trains and buses, which share the stage with other means such as the traditional taxi. The City of Chicago has committed to converting its entire public transportation network to electric by 2040.
If all goes according to plan, this first air taxi route will help reduce emissions and reduce traffic congestion in Chicago, something most city dwellers will no doubt celebrate.
