Archer Aviation is getting ready to change how we travel in cities by launching a national flight tour for its electric air taxi, Midnight. The company wants to show everyone how flying short distances can save people from sitting in heavy traffic for hours. Instead of driving for more than an hour on busy roads, passengers could reach their destination in just 10 to 20 minutes by flying through the air.
The new flight testing program is called the “No Roads” tour, and it is starting in Northern California. Archer plans to fly its air taxi between different cities like Monterey, San Jose, Oakland, and San Francisco to test real point-to-point routes. This project is happening alongside the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to make sure all flight rules and safety standards are met before commercial flights officially start.
To make electric air taxis work in real life, build out charging infrastructure is essential. Archer is working with companies like BETA Technologies and Macquarie Capital to create a shared network of charging stations across multiple states. These landing hubs, called vertiports, will allow different electric flying vehicles to land, recharge, and take off safely without causing loud noise or pollution.
This testing program is also part of a larger plan to prepare for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, where Archer is the official air taxi provider. The company has partnered with AEG to build a vertiport right in downtown Los Angeles near the LA LIVE entertainment district. During the Olympics, these flying taxis will transport sports fans and VIPs high above the crowded city streets.