Archer Aviation has revealed the planned vertiport locations for its air taxi network in the Greater Los Angeles area, where the eVTOL developer intends to launch commercial operations in 2026—in time to offer passenger flights at the 2027 NFL Super Bowl and the 2028 Summer Olympics that will take place in LA.
The San Jose-based company is coordinating with the Los Angeles Rams to explore potential exclusive vertiport locations near SoFi stadium and Woodland Hills, where the NFL football team has its practice facility.
“This is a big moment for Archer. Establishing our LA network ahead of the global events that are coming to the region over the next three years is a milestone that will put Midnight on display for the whole world to see,” said Archer CEO Adam Goldstein. “LA is known for its horrendous traffic—our goal is to offer a safer, faster, and more sustainable alternative travel option.”
Archer’s planned LA eVTOL air taxi network also includes vertiport sites in Orange County, Santa Monica, Hollywood Burbank, Long Beach, Van Nuys, and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The University of California is considering additional vertiport sites at existing helipads on the school’s campus. “USC’s goal is to offer visitors an easy, quick, and sustainable way to get to and from its campus, sports facilities, and hospitals in the future,” Archer said in a company statement.
The air taxi network will use Archer’s all-electric Midnight eVTOL aircraft, which is designed to carry four passengers plus a pilot on back-to-back flights of around 20 to 50 miles at speeds of up to 150 mph. Archer intends to have the Midnight aircraft certified by the end of this year, with operations launching in select U.S. cities as early as 2025. It has also revealed plans for vertiport networks in New York City, Chicago, and the San Francisco Bay Area, where it aims to launch routes with Southwest Airlines. Archer is building its first large-scale eVTOL aircraft factory in Covington, Georgia.
“California is showing the world what’s possible when you embrace innovation, entrepreneurship, and clean energy to help solve your biggest challenges,” said California Governor Gavin Newsom. “Homegrown companies like Archer Aviation are pioneering the next generation of zero-emission transportation that will help California cut pollution, clean our air and reduce traffic.”