United to Introduce Electric Air Taxi Service from Newark to Manhattan

United Airlines is joining the competition to transport passengers to the airport using an all-electric aircraft.

Archer Aviation, a company specializing in electric aircraft, has recently partnered with United Airlines to offer transportation from a heliport in lower Manhattan (located near Battery Park on Pier 6) to Newark using Archer's four-passenger electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles, which resemble small planes but operate like helicopters. This collaboration aims to make airport travel quicker (as it usually takes an hour or more by car depending on traffic) and more environmentally friendly, with the target of launching the route by 2025.

“When operational, electric air taxis will revolutionize the way United customers experience comfort, convenience, and efficiency in their airport commutes,” said Michael Leskinen, president of United Airlines Ventures, the company's corporate venture fund aimed at achieving net zero emissions by 2050. “Archer’s New York to Newark route represents a significant step towards offering a carbon-neutral and safe travel option that greatly reduces travel time and produces considerably less noise than helicopters.”

As of now, information regarding pricing, shuttle frequency per day, booking procedures, and potential additional connections remains undisclosed.

The partnership between United and Archer marks the second collaboration this year between a major airline and an electric aircraft company to launch an electric air taxi service. In October, Delta announced a partnership with Joby, another company specializing in all-electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. Their program, set to begin in 2024, will initially operate in New York City and Los Angeles. However, details about customer pickup locations and available airport destinations have yet to be revealed. United and Archer are the first to establish specific pickup and drop-off points.

United Airlines recognizes significant potential in the electric air taxi sector. In September, the airline invested in Eve Air Mobility to acquire 200 of its four-seat electric aircraft, which will also be utilized for an air taxi service.

“United has made proactive investments in various innovative technologies across the supply chain, positioning ourselves as leaders in aviation sustainability and innovation,” stated Leskinen in a press release. “Our partnership with Eve underscores our belief in the urban air mobility market and represents another crucial step toward achieving our goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050—without relying on traditional offsets. We believe that our comprehensive clean energy technologies will transform air travel and drive the aviation industry toward a sustainable future.”

The shift toward electric air transportation is part of broader initiatives by major airlines to provide more sustainable travel options. In 2021, United announced plans to purchase 100 zero-emission, 19-seater electric planes from Sweden's Heart Aerospace for use on short domestic flights by 2026. In May 2022, Hawaiian Airlines revealed a partnership with Boston's Regional Electric Effect Nautical Transport to introduce electric-powered sea gliders to its interisland fleet by 2028. Last year, all major U.S. carriers committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.