Southwest Airlines has partnered with Archer Aviation, which manufactures electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, to develop operational plans for electric air taxi networks at California airports where Southwest operates, the companies announced Friday.
Archer’s Midnight aircraft is designed to replace 60-to-90-minute commutes by car with estimated 10-to-20-minute electric air-taxi flights, according to the companies. Southwest currently operates at 14 airports across California.
United Airlines has invested in Archer and has made a $10 million deposit for 100 of the company’s eVTOL aircraft.