Imagine: it's 7:43, you have an airport meeting at 8, and you're... floating above the city. No, you're not in a dream - just in Archer Midnight, the new electric air taxi that's putting New York on the map of the future.
Archer Aviation is from Silicon Valley. Which means people there like things that turn the world upside down. And the Archer Midnight is exactly that. It looks like a helicopter, but it behaves like something out of the movie “The Fifth Element.” It has 12 silent engines that don’t howl like a starving jet, but rather whisper like the latest MacBook—in the middle of the sky.
His speed? Up to 241 km/h (150 mph), which means it will get you from Manhattan to Newark Airport faster than the Uber app can even find you a driver. And while there are still queues on the ground, a new dimension of urban mobility is emerging above.
Battery? Lithium-ion, with a range of about 160 kilometers (100 miles), but realistic ranges are between 20 and 50 miles (32–80 km). Perfect for a quick “escape” from the city center. It charges in ten minutes – just enough to order a flat white and drink it on the helipad like a true urban nomad of the future.
Archer's Vision: The Sky Will Become the New Highway with Archer Midnight
If we believe the vision of Adam Goldstein, CEO of Archer, in 10-20 years there will be so much “traffic” in the air that we will need aerial traffic signs. “Highways in the sky,” as he puts it. Ambitious? Maybe. But hey – even ten years ago people laughed at electric scooters.
Midnight isn't alone. It's being partnered with giants like United Airlines, Stellantis, and even the US Air Force. Yep – the first Midnight is already with the military, where they're checking to see if it could be used for... whatever the military uses things that fly quietly and quickly.
Price? Luxurious today, affordable tomorrow.
Once the air taxi takes to the skies in New York City (expected to be in 2025, if the FAA says “OK”), the ride will cost around $200. Which isn’t exactly peanuts, but let’s compare: Uber Black at rush hour + stress + crowds = pretty much the same. The goal is to get the price down to $100 or less. If that happens, Uber will have to start flying.
Why is this important (even if taxis get on your nerves)?
Because this isn't just transportation. This is the future of mobility. Quieter, cleaner, faster. And most of all, cooler. The next time you're driving through Midtown and wondering why you're not already at the airport - look up. Someone's already flying there.
Conclusion: Yes, they're coming. And no, they're not just a sci-fi idea anymore.
Archer Midnight It's no longer a prototype. It's a real thing that's happening. And while the beginnings always start with wealthy passengers and select infrastructure, the trend is clear. These flying "taxis" will eventually become the new norm. Cheaper, quieter, smarter. And above all - faster.
So, if "flying" has always meant taking a taxi through a red light - get ready, the world is changing. And the future is coming from above.
