United First Major Airline to Move on Electric Planes Starting with Uber-Like Service to Airports
Photo Credit: United has partnered with air mobility company Archer on a new electric aircraft that could provide connections to hub airports by 2024. Archer / Courtesy of Archer
Skift Take
United is raising eyebrows with its drive to cut carbon emissions. The carrier has committed to the as yet untested realm of electric helicopter-like aircraft with plans to introduce as many as 200 of them within five years — a surprisingly ambitious goal for a traditionally conservative airline.
You’re in a rush, your flight leaves soon and you need to get from Wall Street to the airport. You could hail a cab but with traffic you might make your flight — tomorrow. Instead, you head over the heliport and hop on a short flight over traffic.
No, this is not the 1970s when New York Airways helicopters offered frequent flights between Wall Street and New York’s airports for hurried bankers. This is a glimpse at United Airlines' new plans for the urban mobility market offering so-called “last mile” rides between its hub airports and urban destinations with new, low-emission electric vertical takeoff and landing — or eVTOL — aircraft.
On Wednesday, United unveiled a partnership with Palo Alto, California-based air mobility company Archer to develop an eVTOL for these last mile missions. The proposed aircraft, which Archer plans to unveil later this year, would carry four passengers up to 60 miles at speeds up to 150 miles per hour — speeding travelers past back
