Spectators can fly through the Los Angeles sky and escape the city’s infamous traffic at the organizers’ 2028 Olympics.
LA28, the committee planning the city’s third summer Olympics, has announced a partnership with Archer Aviation to provide taxi services during the Olympic and Paralympic games.
LA28 announced Thursday that the company said it plans to use a plane to arrive at the site by plane.
Flying a taxi has always been a long-term dream. They plan to make their debut at the Paris Games in 2024, but have not been certified by the European Air Safety Agency in time.
Similarly, Archer Airlines has not yet been certified by the Federal Aviation Administration, meaning the aircraft is not ready for commercial use. Its founder and CEO said he hopes that the key signature will be owned by aviation regulators this year — a type of certification that says it meets design and safety standards.
If they are certified for the 2028 race in time, taxis will provide residents and visitors with 10-20 minutes of flights and fly between certain destinations, including several of the largest Olympic venues in the area.
It is not clear how much it will cost per trip, but Archer founder and CEO Adam Goldstein said he wants to keep the price compared to the high-end Uber.
Like popular rides, customers will be able to request air taxis through the app. The aircraft can carry up to four people and is similar to a helicopter during takeoff and landing.
The pilot midnight aircraft is part of a vehicle called "evtols" that represents electric vertical takeoff and takeoff aircraft.
Archer, backed by Boeing and United Airlines, is one of several EVTOL manufacturers who transform crowded city trips by offering short-distance air travel.
The industry has encountered many obstacles, including battery density, without FAA-approved aircraft.
According to LA28, Archer's Midnight aircraft is made of 12 engines and propellers, with "less noise and emissions" compared to traditional helicopters.
Archer Aviation hopes it will be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with a "safety level similar to commercial airliners."
“We want to change the way people are around Los Angeles and leave a legacy that shapes the future of American transportation,” Goldstein said in a statement. “There is no better time to do this than in the LA28 game.”
Safety, regulations and investment prove a huge obstacle for companies trying to introduce flying taxis. Despite setbacks and delays, many still think they may be the future of transportation.
Archer Aviation remains confident its aircraft can stop recent trends and believes that the 2028 Olympics is a way to introduce it to the world.
The UK government announced the future of its flight action plan in 2024, predicting that the first flight taxi may take off in the UK in 2026 and will be regularly viewed in the sky.
Los Angeles previously hosted the Olympics in 1984 and 1932, the city held its third Summer Olympics. The city announced that the 2028 race will not allow cars, a difficult task after plans to expand the region’s transportation system.